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Robin Hood and Sib Richabd of Lea (Page 147) 


Wonderland Series 


THE TALE OF 


ROBIN HOOD 

AND 

HIS MERRY MEN 


.A New and Original Setting 


BY 


ELINOR M. BUCKINGHAM 

f i 


New York 

MANHATTAN PRESS 


470 WEST BROADWAY 


XLt, 
\ 
ft 


NOTE 

The writer makes no other claim to originality in the 
following chapters than is implied in rendering into 
prose for herself, and without consulting other versions, 
such of the ballads on Eobin Hood as seemed most 
worthy an introduction to the “ Young People.” 

If she has succeeded in reproducing their simplicity 
and directness, their appeal to the imagination through 
their very conciseness and lack of explanatory passages, 
she will be more than satisfied. May the youngsters 
have a tithe of the pleasure in reading the prose story 
that is to be found in studying the original ballads. 


LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies Received 

JUN 24 1905 

Couyfitfiii tniry 

2 - 1 /, 

KJUiSS cu xxc. Nm 
/ 7- c O 1 / Z 
COPY b. 



• e • 


Copyright, 1905, by 
GILBERT H. McKIBBIN 


ui£D 


TABLE OF CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Robin Hood becomes an Outlaw, .... 7 

II. Robin Hood meets Little John, 11 

III. Robin Hood becomes a Potter for the Nonce, . . 16 

IV. Robin Hood meets the Bishop of Hereford and takes 

his Money, 24 

V. Gamelyn quarrels with his Brother, . . . .31 

VI. Gamelyn becomes Will Scarlet, . . . . . 46 

VII. Robin Hood fights with the Curtal Friar, . . .54 

VIII. Robin Hood gives Allen a-Dale his Bride, . . .62 

IX. Robin Hood rescues three Squires, . . . .73 

X. Robin Hood exchanges Clothes with an old Woman, . 79 

XI. Robin Hood is taken by the Sheriff, . . . .83 

XII. Little John overtakes the Monk, . . . .89 

XIII. Little John brings back Robin Hood, . . .94 

XIV. Robin Hood slays Guy of Gisborne and routs the 

Sheriff, 100 

XV. Little John goes a-Begging, . . . . 114 

XVI. Little John rescues Will Stutely, .... 121 

XVII. Robin Hood fights with the Pinder of Wakefield, . 127 
XVHL Robin Hood has a Bout with Arthur a-Bland, and 

robs three Monks of their Money, . . . 133 

XIX. Robin Hood lends Money to the Disconsolate Knight, . 144 

XX. The Gentle Knight repays the Abbot, . . .153 

XXI. Little John becomes the Sheriff’s Man, and carries off 

his Cook and his Silver to the Forest, . . . 160 

XXII. Robin Hood gets his Pay from the Monk, . . . 177 


6 


TABLE OF CONTENTS 


CHAPTER fALrt, 

XXIII. The Sheriff arranges a Shooting Match, . . .190 

XXIY. Robin Hood kills the Sheriff and rescues Sir Richard 

of Lea, 198 

XXV. The King visits Robin Hood under the Trysting-Tree, 207 
XXVI. Robin Hood goes to London, but returns at the end 

of a Year, 217 

XXVII. Will Scarlet regains his Lands, 225 

XXVIII. Robin Hood wins a Match for the Queen, . . . 232 

XXIX. Robin Hood is pursued by the King, and outwits 

him, 240 

XXX. Robin Hood’s Death, 245 



NORMAN GATEWAY, WINDSOR CASTLE 



THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


CHAPTER I 

HOBIN HOOD BECOMES AN OUTLAW 

In the good old times, when England was Merrie Eng- 
land, there lived a famous outlaw in Sherwood Forest, 
named Robin Hood. He was the terror of all the monks 
and bishops in the country round, and if any knight or 
lord came riding through the forest he had better look 
to it that he had a great company of men with him, for 
if he came alone he was sure to meet one of Robin Hood’s 
men, who would decoy him to their try sting -tree, and 
there despoil him of his money. And well for him if he 
were not wounded or beaten besides, if he showed him- 
self churlish or had made his name known for avarice 
and tyranny at home. 

But Robin Hood never harmed women or children, or 
such men as were kind and good in their dealings with 
their neighbors, and if any one was in misfortune or dis- 
tress Robin Hood was ever foremost to help him with his 
good right arm or with gold and silver. 

It may seem strange that a man who was an enemy of 


8 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


wrong and oppression, and befriended the poor and help- 
less, should be an outlaw, debarred from the King’s 
rights, and doomed always to live far in the forest ; but 
this is how it came about. 

One day there was to be a great shooting match at 
Nottingham, and Robin Hood, who, though he was but 
fifteen years old, was well grown and a stalwart youth, 
and had long practised with the bow and arrow, started 
for the town to take part in the shooting. Now you 
must know that Kobin was always a little proud of his 
skill at the butts, and liked not, moreover, that any man 
should outgo him in feats of strength ; and he carried 
with him this day a bow so huge that few men could have 
bent it. Indeed, every one who met him on the road 
wondered much to behold a stripling with such a bow. 
In especial a party of the King’s foresters made fun of 
him, and told him he had better leave the bending of such 
a bow to a man ; and in all manner of ways they scoffed 
at him. 

“I’ll hold you twenty marks,” said Robin Hood, “that 
I can hit the mark at a hundred rods and kill a deer. ” 

“Done,” said the foresters; “we’ll lay you twenty 
marks that you can do neither, nor may do it for many 
a long day.” 

Thereupon Kobin strung the bow, to the amazement of 
them all, as easily as if it had been a child’s plaything, 
and let fly an arrow at a herd of deer feeding in the dis- 
tance. Down fell a fine large hart, and some folk say that 
the arrow went straight through his body and wounded 


ROBIN HOOD BECOMES AN OUTLAW 


9 


two other deer be- 
yond. Be that as it 
may, Robin Hood had 
fairly won the wager, 
and the foresters were 
put to shame ; but one 
of them was a surly 
man, and he cried out : 

“Row hast thou 
slain one of the King’s 
deer and art a felon. 
Thou art but one to 
fifteen of us. Yield 
thee, for thou shalt 
be taken before the 
Sheriff ; ” and he ad- 
vanced to lay hands 
on him. 

“Rot so fast,” re- 
plied Robin Hood. 
“Is that your game ? ” 
and he fitted another 
arrow to the string, 
for his blood was up 
and he was angry that 
they should consent 
to his wager and then 
try to seize him for 
winning it. 



10 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“ Stand, or I shoot,” shouted Robin Hood; but the 
forester thought to himself, “ This vain fellow needs to 

be taught to honor 
the King’s officers,” 
and he kept on, 
brandishing a quar- 
ter-staff in his hand. 
Suddenly there was 
the sound of a whiz- 
zing arrow and the 
forester fell to the 
ground pierced 
through the heart. 
His fellows never 
stopped to look be- 
hind them, but fled 
as fast as their legs 
could carry them, 
leaving their com- 
panion lying where 
he fell ; and they 
made complaint to 
the Sheriff of Not- 
tingham, how they 
had been set upon by 
a strong thief and one 
of their number slain ; and all the town poured out of 
the gates to see this bold youth who made game of the 
King’s deer, and killed the King’s foresters. But Robin 



ROBIN HOOD MEETS LITTLE JOHN 


11 


Hood had gone into the woods with his bow and arrows, 
and the Sheriff proclaimed him wolf’s head and outlawed 
him, and a price was set upon his head. 

Now this same Sheriff was a cruel man and a tyrannous, 
and he enforced the King’s laws so harshly that many 
men had to flee the town lest they be taken and hanged ; 
and it was not long ere Robin Hood, for his great prow- 
ess and his strength, and for his gentleness and courtesy 
withal, had been chosen king of these outlaws. Their 
trysting-place was a great oak with spreading branches, 
in a sunny dell, and woe be to any evil person who came 
near their haunts. Be he knight or monk he must pay 
his scot before he could escape, but any courteous knight 
or any poor widow might go unscathed, for these out- 
laws, as they were deemed, would gladly have been good 
and true subjects of the King had they not been under 
the ban of his officers, and they paid reverence to all 
goodness and gentleness. 


CHAPTER II 

ROBIN HOOD MEETS LITTLE JOHN 

Now Robin Hood had dwelled five years in the green- 
wood and had a band of three-score and nine brave 
archers about him, and they roamed the forest at their 
will. Sometimes they killed a fat buck and feasted upon 
it, and now they robbed a proud monk of his treasure ; 


12 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


but sometimes life was slow to Bobin Hood, and one day 
he called his mates together and said: “ ? Tis fourteen 
days since we had any sport. I am going to walk through 
the forest to the other side and see what happens. If I 



blow my horn come to my aid.” Then he marched out 
into the forest alone. 

He had not gone a mile when he became aware of a 
tall stranger in the distance, who was hastening down to 
a brook that ran below in the valley. A long bridge 
crossed this brook, so narrow that two men could not 
walk abreast on it, and Eobin Hood walked leisurely 
down so that he might reach the brook at the same time 


ROBIN HOOD MEETS LITTLE JOHN 


13 


as the stranger, thinking to dispute the passage with 
him. “ Holloa !” cried Robin Hood as he stepped upon 
the bridge, the man on the other side at that instant also 
setting foot upon the narrow plank. “I am first on this 
bridge. Stand aside, man ! ” 

Now the tall stranger was a young man and stout of 
limb, and he carried a huge quarter- staff withal, so that 
he had no mind to give way to Robin, but was for 
marching past him. 

“As you value your life make way,” repeated Robin 
Hood, “or I’ll show you good Nottingham play;” and 
with that he drew a broad arrow from the sheaf at his 
belt, made of a gray goose’s wing, and began to fit it to 
the string. 

“Nay,” said the tall stranger, “thou’rt a coward. 
There thou standest armed with a long bow, ready to 
shoot at my breast, while I have but my staff. Is that a 
gentleman’s action ? ” 

At this Robin Hood withheld his hand. He would not 
that any man should have the right to call him coward. 
“Wait,” shouted he, and he ran to cut him a cudgel of 
good oak. Then he hasted back to the foot-bridge, and 
swung his lusty staff and offered to play for the passage 
of the bridge. “Whichever of us two falls into the 
river,” said he, “the other shall be judged to win the 
contest, and so we’ll away,” 

“With all my heart,” replied the stranger, and they 
fell to, without more words. 

Then first Robin gave the stranger such a bang that his 


14 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


bones cracked with the blow, but he was ready to return 
as good as he got. “So long as I’m able to hold a staff, ” 
said he, “I scorn to die in your debt,” and they rained 
blows at each other as if they had been threshing corn. 
So fast Robin’s quartet- staff whistled about the stranger’s 
head that il* seemed as if he smoked and were all on fire, 
and the tall stranger answered with such a thwack that 
it tumbled Robin into the brook. 

“I prithee, good fellow, where art thou now ? ” cried 
he with a laugh, and Robin could but answer: “In the 
flood to be sure, and floating with the tide. I needs 
must acknowledge thou art a brave soul. I’ll no longer 
contend with thee. Thou hast got the day, and our 
battle is at an end.” 

With that he waded to the bank, laid hold of a 
thorn tree and pulled himself out. This done he straight- 
way set his horn to his lips and blew a long blast. 
“What is that,” asked the stranger, but the words were 
scarcely spoken ere Robin Hood’s men came trooping 
through the forest from all directions, and appeared one 
by one under the trees, all clad in gay green mantles. 

“What’s the matter?” said one of them, named Will 
Stutely. “Good master, thou art wet to the skin.” 

“Oh! it’s nothing, ” replied Robin Hood. “That lad 
yonder tumbled me into the brook.” 

“Say you so?” cried all the troop in a breath; “then 
he shall not go scot free, ” and they were for laying hands 
on him, to duck him also, but Robin Hood forbade them. 

“He is a brave fellow,” said he. “Ho one shall harm 


ROBIN HOOD MEETS LITTLE JOHN 


15 


you, ” lie continued, turning to the stranger, who smiled 
at the promise, for he was seven foot tall and looked a 
match for any six of them. “ These men do wait upon 
me. Three-score and nine they are in all. Wilt thou 
make three -score and ten? Thou shalt wear my livery, 
and I ? ll teach thee the use of the bow.” 

“Oh here is my hand,” the stranger replied, 

“I’ll serve you with all my whole heart; 

My name is John Little, a man of good mettle; 

Ne’er doubt me, for I’ll play my part.” 

Thereupon- the whole band set up a great shout; 
“John Little,” quoth they, “and a man seven foot high; 
and a rhymster to boot ; he must certainly be one of us ; ” 
and Will Stutely declared that he would be his godfa- 
ther for a new name. “Hereafter, my sweet pretty babe, 
thou shalt be called Little John,” he said; “’tis more 
befitting thy age and thy size,” and they all laughed 
again. 

Then they killed them a brace of fat does for the 
christening feast and fetched a keg of humming strong 
ale. Will Stutely broke a horn of ale over John Little’s 
head, while the bowmen all stood about and drank a deep 
draught to his health. “This infant was called John 
Little,” said he, “but the name we’ll transpose, and 
wherever he goes he must always be called Little John.” 
Eobin Hood gave him a new mantle of green and a curi- 
ous long bow, and they all sat down to the feast. So 
Little John joined Eobin Hood’s band, and became his 


16 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 

right-hand man, and after that, wherever yon saw Eobin 
Hood yon might be sure that Little John was not far 
away. 


CHAPTEE III 

ROBIN HOOD BECOMES A POTTER FOR THE NONCE 

Eobin Hood had a way of levying toll on #11 who 
passed his way unless they could give good reason for 
not paying, and one day he saw a Potter who was driv- 
ing to town to sell his pots, and who had never paid a 
penny to the outlaws. 

“Fellows,” said Eobin Hood to his mates, “there goes 
a man who has been driving here these three years and 
never paid his scot ; shall I demand his penny I ” 

“Better not,” said Little John; “I met him at Barns- 
dale the Other day, and had a brush with him. My sides 
still ache with the beating he gave me, though I gave 
him as good as I got. I lay you forty shillings you will 
rue the day you stop him.” 

“Forty shillings I lay thee, and more,” returned Eobin 
Hood, “that I shall make him leave his token.” So 
saying he sprang out from the thicket in front of the 
Potter, laid his hand upon the horse’s bridle and de- 
manded payment of toll. “Here’s three years,” said he, 
“that thou hast been driving this way, and never had 
the courtesy to pay a penny to the outlaws.” 

“Hands off!” shouted the Potter. “Not a farthing 



Robin Hood Goes to the Gkeenwood (Page 11) 


c 



18 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


will I give thee,” and he seized a stout quarter- staff from 
among his pots, and suddenly beat down Robin Hood’s 
staff, so that he had no guard. Then before Robin 
had time to recover, he gave him such a blow on the 
neck as felled him to the ground. 

Up ran Little John and the rest, laughing at Robin 
Hood’s mishap and claiming the forty shillings. “If it 
were three hundred,” replied Robin, “it would be thine. 
But by Our Lady, that is a stalwart Potter. ” 

“I have heard wise men say,” remarked the Potter, 
“that it is full little courteous to wring money from a 
poor man if he comes driving your way.” 

“Thou sayst true,” Robin Hood replied. “Thou shalt 
drive this way as often as it please thee without let or 
hindrance from me. But, good Potter, wilt thou change 
clothes with me? Thou mayst stay here under the 
greenwood tree while I ride to town and sell thy pots. 
I will pay thee freely for my discourtesy.” 

“Have a care of the Sheriff,” said Little John. “He 
is no friend of ours, and it may fare ill with thee.” 

“Let me alone,” replied Robin; “by the help of Our 
Lady I will go to Nottingham. What sayst thou. 
Potter ? ” 

The Potter agreed, and in short space Robin had ex- 
changed clothes and was driving at a rattling pace into 
Nottingham. He took his stand right under the Sheriff’s 
gate, and there he chaffered so well that soon nearly all 
his pots were gone. Old women and young maids and 
widows came to buy, for he sold his wares so cheap as 


ROBIN HOOD BECOMES A POTTER FOR THE NONCE 19 

never potter had done before. “ He’ll never thrive for 
a potter,” said they. “He is selling five-penny pots 
for threepence. ” 

Well, in a short time he had but five pots left, and 
these he took in his hand and sent as a gift to the Sheriff’s 
wife. So pleased was she with her present that she 
declared she would always buy her pots of him in the 
future, and she asked him to dine that day. 

“Gramercy,” said Eobin Hood, “your bidding shall be 
done ; ” and he followed the lady into the hall, while a 
maid bore the pots behind them, and stood them in a 
row for the Sheriff to admire. 

So the Sheriff feasted Eobin Hood well that day, and 
they drank of the best red wine; and when they had 
finished their meal, Eobin Hood took his leave of the 
fair Sheriff’s wife, and they went out to see a shooting 
match that was being held in the town. 

All the men of the country round were assembled at 
the butts, but none had great success with the bow. 
Only two or three came within half an arrow’s length of 
the mark, which every one knows is quite disgraceful if 
one pretends to skill in shooting. At length Eobin of- 
fered to try his hand if the Sheriff would lend him 
a bow. 

“Thou shalt have thy choice of three,” said the sheriff; 
and when they were brought, Eobin Hood made choice 
of the stoutest and bent it. 

“This is right weak for a strong man,” he said. How- 
ever, he drew the bow to his ear, and the arrow went 


20 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


whizzing through the air. So near it came to the mark 
that it failed by hardly a finger’s breadth, and there 
was loud clapping, and great wonderment among the 
people. 

Then they shot all around again, and though the 
townsmen did better than before, and the Sheriff’s men 
acquitted them well, yet Robin Hood outdid them again, 
for his arrow split the wand in three pieces. Much 
shame did the Sheriff’s men feel to be beaten by a Potter, 
but the Sheriff laughed and said: “Thou art a stalwart 
man, and shouldst bear a bow wherever thou goest.” 

“In my cart,” Robin Hood replied, “I have a bow 
that is good indeed. Robin Hood gave it me, and a 
tougher or a stronger ne’er saw I.” 

“Knowest thou Robin Hood? ” asked the Sheriff. “I 
would give a hundred pounds to see the false outlaw 
standing by me.” 

“Oh! I have shot a hundred times with him, under 
his trysting-tree,” answered Robin carelessly. “And if 
you will follow my counsel, and go with me boldly, I can 
show you Robin Hood before ever we eat bread in the 
morning. ” 

“I will requite thee,” said the Sheriff. 

So they left the shooting and went home to a hearty 
supper, and rested them well that night. On the mor- 
row, when they made them ready for the forest, Robin 
Hood drew out his cart, for he was loath to leave that 
behind; then he took leave of the Sheriff’s wife, and 
thanked her for her courtesy, for he was himself a full 


ROBIN HOOD BECOMES A POTTER FOR THE NONCE 21 

courteous man ; and he prayed her to accept a gold ring 
which he slipped on her finger. So they started forth. 

The Sheriff was gay of mood, and glad to be in the 
forest ; for truth to tell, he dared not often go there 
without a great concourse of his men. The leaves were 
so green, and the shadows flickered so gayly, and the 
birds sang so blithely, that he took great delight in the 
journey. “Here is a pleasant spot,” said Eobin Hood 
at last, when they had reached his own trysting-tree. 
“Here let us rest, and I will know if Eobin be within 
hearing. ” 

With that he set his horn to his lips, and blew a long, 
clear blast, which was straightway answered by Little 
John and all the band, — running like mad to reach their 
master first ; for they doubted some mischance had be- 
fallen him when he came not back the night before. 

Little John was before the rest. Indeed he was seven 
foot tall and his legs were long, and it was no credit to 
him that he could run faster. He greeted his master 
and paid no heed to the Sheriff. “Master,” he said, 
“how have you fared in Nottingham? Have you sold 
your wares ? ” 

“ Yea, by my troth,” replied Eobin Hood. “I have 
sold them well, and I have brought the Sheriff as the re- 
sult of my bargaining.” 

“He is right welcome,” said Little John; but the 
Sheriff began to quake in his boots, and would willingly 
have given a hundred pounds that he had never seen 
Eobin Hood at all. He declared that if he had known 


22 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


who the Potter was, he would not have left Nottingham 
or set foot in the forest for a thousand years ; but they 
only laughed at him ; that they knew full well ; and they 
told him, for his foolishness he might leave his horse 
and all his baggage with them. ’Twas no use for him to 
protest. 

“ Hither ye came on horse full high, 

And home shall ye go on foot 
And greet ye kindly your wife at home, 

The woman is very good, ” 

sang Little John, who was always bursting out into 
scraps of song, and who had a voice that accorded well 
with his seven feet, for it was deep and loud and, when 
he chose to exercise it, it might well strike terror into 
his enemies. 

But Bobin Hood had pity on the Sheriff, and set him 
on a palfrey which he said was a present to his wife, and 
he told him to greet his wife and say to her, that if she 
had not been so courteous her lord would have fared 
much worse. So the Sheriff took his way home, glad to 
escape with a whole skin ; but when his wife greeted him 
and asked him if he had brought Bobin Hood with him, 
he groaned and said: “No, of all the riches I carried to 
the greenwood he has taken everything. He was the 
Potter himself, and he has sent me back on this palfrey 
as a gift to you.” 

Thereupon the wife fell into a hearty fit of laughter 
and declared that Bobin Hood had been well paid for 
his pots, but she would give the Sheriff no comfort, for 



\ 




24 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


she said Eobin Hood was a good fellow if he was well 
treated, and it was the Sheriff’s own fault if he had 
made an enemy of him. 

But in the mean time the Potter had been waiting to 
hear news of his pots, and chafing a little that he could 
not be back at his wheel preparing for next market day. 
So Eobin changed coats with him again, and asked him 
how much his pots were worth. 

“Two nobles,” said the Potter. 

“Here are ten pounds,” replied Eobin Hood, “of good 
money and true, and if ever you come to the greenwood 
again, you shall be welcome to me. ” So they parted good 
friends, and both satisfied with the day’s work. 


CHAPTEE IV 

ROBIN HOOD MEETS THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD AND 
GETS HIS MONEY 

You must not suppose that Eobin Hood and his men 
always haunted Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham. 
They were often at Barnsdale away to the north of Don- 
caster, where Eobin Hood had a chapel of his own to 
the Virgin Mary ; and he even went as far as Newcastle 
and Berwick, and sometimes away out to the West to 
Chester, for it was not fitting to kill all the King’s deer 
in Sherwood; moreover, if the Sheriff of Nottingham 
knew that he was always near at hand, he might be 
caught unawares some time. 


ROBIN HOOD MEETS THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD 25 

It was not so very long after Little John had joined 
the merry men that they all marched over to Barnsdale, 
to see what they could pick up there, and before many 
days they learned that the Bishop of Hereford was to 
ride through the wood that day, with a goodly company 
of retainers on his way to visit the Archbishop of York. 
Now it was certain that he would have great store of gold 
and silver and presents for his host ; and Bobin Hood 
determined to be his first host. 

C( Come, kill us some venison, ” said bold Bobin to his 
men. u Kill me a good fat deer. The Bishop of Here- 
ford is to dine with me to-day, and I 7 11 make him pay 
right well for his dinner. ” 

So when they had killed a good fat buck, six of them 
clad themselves in shepherd’s clothes and began to dress 
the deer, close by the roadside, while the rest of the com- 
pany watched to make sure that the Bishop was not 
riding another way. Bow in those days it was not law- 
ful to kill the King’s deer, and if a man were caught he 
might be hanged for a thief; but when the Bishop ap- 
peared in the distance, Bobin Hood made all the bustle 
and stir of preparation that he could, for he wished to 
attract the Bishop’s eye, and he was no more afraid of 
the Bishop than he was of the Sheriff of Nottingham. 

The Bishop and his troop came riding bravely along, 
the Bishop himself on a dainty high-bred horse, while 
another horse was led beside him in case his own should 
tire. The bridle and the silver trappings of his horse 
jingled in the wind as clear and loud as a chapel bell, 


26 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


and the rich housings swept the ground. Behind was a 
train of attendants with sumpter horses, carrying his 
wardrobe and his presents for the Archbishop and all 
things appertaining to the dignity and glory of a Bishop ; 
and they were mightily startled to come upon a few poor 
herdsmen gathered round a fire, and preparing a deer for 
the roasting. 

“ Holloa! ” cried the Bishop, and pulled up his horse. 
“What is all this to-do? And why do you kill the 
King’s venison? ” 

“We are poor shepherds,” answered Eobin Hood 
boldly, “and we keep sheep all the year; but to-day we 
are minded to make a feast, for it is the festival of Our 
Blessed Lady, and so have we killed the King’s fat deer.” 

“Ye are bold fellows,” said the Bishop, “and the King 
shall know of your doings. So make haste and come 
along with me, for you shall go before the King. ” 

“Oh, pardon, pardon,” said Eobin Hood. “It ill be- 
comes your lordship’s coat to take away so many lives.” 

“Ko pardon for thieves,” replied the Bishop. “I owe 
you no pardon, though I wear the robes of peace. Make 
haste, I say; come along with me. You may make your 
plea to the King.” 

Meanwhile the Bishop’s retinue stood looking on, their 
mouths watering for the venison, but not daring to lay 
hands on the bold shepherds for fear of their stern looks 
and the great bows which they had. Eobin Hood set 
his back against a tree and braced his foot against a 
thorn-tree. Then from underneath his shepherd’s cloak 



Robin Hood Meets Little John (Page 13) 


28 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


lie pulled out his great horn, and setting the little eud to 
his mouth, he blew a loud blast, while still the Bishop’s 
men stood gaping about and wondering what all this 
meant. In a trice they found what it betokened, for 



four and twenty of Robin Hood’s men came running all 
in a row and made their obeisance to their master. They 
were all clad out in Lincoln green, with brave little caps 
on their heads, and with each a sheaf of arrows in his 


ROBIN HOOD MEETS THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD 29 

belt and a strong bow in bis band ; and they made as fine 
a showing as tbe Bisbop bimself with all bis train. 

“ What is the matter, master?” said Little John, “that 
yon blow so loud and hastily.” 

“Why, here is tbe Bisbop of Hereford,” replied Bobin. 
“He has broken in on our feast, and will give us no par- 
don. He says we must all to the King. ” 

“Cut off bis bead,” said Little John, “and throw him 
in bis grave. ? T would serve him right, and they are but 
three score to our thirty. ’Twere as easy as banging.” 

“Ob pardon, pardon,” said tbe Bisbop in *the same 
words Bobin Hood bad used. “Pardon I pray thee. If 
I bad known it bad been you, I would have gone some 
other way.” Whereat Bobin Hood laughed long and 
heartily. “Yes, I warrant truly you would have gone 
some other way, but here you are ; and no pardon do I 
owe you, for bow should a poor shepherd pardon a noble 
Bisbop ? Therefore make baste and come along with me, 
for to merry Barnsdale shall you go. There we will 
have dinner and you shall spend tbe night with me. ” 
Then Bobin took the Bisbop by tbe band and led him 
to merry Barnsdale, while bis men followed with tbe 
horses and tbe sumpters ; but the attendants and all tbe 
retinue scurried away as fast as ever they could go, re- 
joicing that they were not included in such an invitation. 

“ Alas! ” thought the Bisbop, “wbat ever shall I do? ” 
And be stumbled along in great affright, for be was 
never used to walking. Wherever be went be bad bis 
gentle palfrey, or for long journeys a dainty steed to 


30 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


bear him, so that he knew not what it was to walk even 
a mile in town ; and here in the woods the stones and 
broken twigs troubled his feet, and his magnificent scar- 
let robe entangled him so that he could scarcely make 
headway. 

But Bobin Hood and his men walked comfortably 
along chatting merrily with each other, and helping 
the Bishop over the rough places ; they were as courteous 
to him as if he had been their guest in some magnificent 
banqueting hall. Indeed you must know that some of 
them were gentlemen born and bred, and they delighted 
to show the Bishop how gentle and dignified they could 
be when they chose. 

So that night they feasted him and gave him the best 
of ale and wine to drink, till the Bishop, who felt un- 
easy all the while and could hardly bring himself to taste 
a morsel, began to wonder where all this would end. He 
knew he should have to pay dear for it. At last he could 
contain himself no longer, and as if he were at a com- 
mon inn, he called for his reckoning. “It will be won- 
drous high,” thought he, “if I have to pay for all this 
jolly company.” 

“Lend me your purse,” said Little John, “and I’ll 
tell you straightway;” with that he took the Bishop’s 
cloak and spread it on the ground. Then he brought 
the Bishop’s portmanteau and poured the contents into 
the cloak. Out came gold guineas and shining silver 
pieces, angels and crowns and silver sixpences, and when 
he had counted them all, there was three hundred pounds. 


GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 31 

“Here is money enough,” laughed Little John. “ ’Tis 
a fine sight, too. This will pay well for his entertain- 
ment. It puts me in charity with the Bishop, though I 
know he loves not me. ” 

“Well and good,” quoth Robin Hood. “Now, Sir 
Bishop, you may dance home,” and he commanded his 
music to play. Tired as the Bishop was, he had to dance 
in his heavy riding boots, and glad he was he could get 
away with no further harm. 


CHAPTER Y 

GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 

Now I shall tell you how Will Scarlet became one of 
Robin Hood’s crew, and how it was that he was so great 
a favorite, and so near to Robin Hood’s person, always 
next after Little John. 

His real name was Gamelyn, and he was the son of a 
right rich and worthy knight, named Sir John of Boundys. 
This knight had three sons, of whom the eldest was 
a curse to his father and his brothers, but the two 
younger were loving and kind. 

It happened when Sir John was old that he fell griev- 
ously sick, so that he was full of heaviness and was 
troubled because he knew not how to leave his estates. 
And he wrote letters and sealed them with his own hand, 
begging his friends to come and help him with their coun- 
sel. But though they came in haste to his bedside, yet he 


32 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


was already so weak that he gave the whole matter over 
into their hands, and told them to part the land as suited 
them, not f orgetting his youngest son. Then they consid- 
ered among themselves, and thought that Gamely n was 
but a youth who knew not the value of lands, and they 
decided that it would be best to give all to his older 
brothers till he should come of age. But when they told 
their thought to Sir John, he was much displeased and 
said: “For all your division, the land is still my own to 
do what I please, and Gamelyn shall not go without his 
share. Five plowlands I give to John, my eldest son, 
and five to my second son, and all the rest in lands and 
rents to Gamelyn my youngest.” And having uttered 
these words he was silent, and soon after he fell asleep 
and died, and the knights departed to their own homes. 

Now it happened that Gamelyn’s share was much larger 
and richer than the others, so that the eldest son was not 
satisfied with the division ; and it was not long ere he 
had persuaded the Sheriff to let him take possession of 
all the property, promising to care for Gamelyn till he 
grew to be a man. 

But he was an evil plotter, and ill-treated his brother. 
He gave him no schooling, nor taught him the laws of 
courtesy, nor the use of the bow and arrow, nor to wield 
a sword, nor any of those things that gentlemen need to 
know. The houses were left falling to ruin, and the lands 
were unplowed, for though he could make little use of 
them himself, he was jealous of his brother, and would 
not that Gamelyn should have the rents from them. 


GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 33 

Nevertheless Gamelyn grew up to be a fine and gentle 
youth, of great prowess and exceeding strength; so much 
so that he was often eager to try his luck at a shooting 
match or a wrestling bout, but his brother always for- 
bade him. Yet day by day, he grew more beloved by 
the servants for his gentleness, and his brother more and 
more grew jealous of 
him, so that at last he 
wished his death. 

One day there was to 
be a fair in the town, 
where there was to be 
pitching the quoit and 
shooting at the butts, 
and above all a famous 
wrestling match. The 
prize was to be a ram 
and a ring and Gamelyn 
was minded to try his 
skill. This time the 
brother gave his consent 
most readily, and more- 
over offered him a horse to take him to the fair. “Per- 
ad venture,” he said to himself, “the horse will stumble 
and kill him:” but he said aloud, “Thou wilt need all 
thy strength for the wrestling, and if thou ridest, thou 
wilt be fresh.” So Gamelyn rode off, while his brother 
at home thought: “Surely if the horse stumble not, the 
challenger will give him a fall that will be his death.” 




34 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


To such a pass had his evil nature brought him. Gam- 
elyn was a continual reproach to him by reason of the 
exceeding grace and dignity of his manner, and the great 
love the people had for him, and he knew not that Gam- 
elyn had practised all manly exercises for himself and 
was a match for the stoutest wrestler in the country. 

Gamelyn was no sooner come to the neighborhood of 
the fair than he met an old man, a franklin, who was 
weeping and lamenting piteously. And Gamelyn spoke 
to him and said, “What aileth thee, old man? Is there 
ought in which I can serve thee? ” for it distressed him 
sorely to see any one so grievously lamenting. And 
the old man answered : “Alas! sir, woe is me that ever 
I was born, for I have lost two stalwart sons by reason 
of this wrestling. Here is a champion in this place, 
who challenges all men to wrestle with him, and my sons 
have often carried off the ram and the ring ere now, and 
so they entered for the match ; but the eldest he has 
thrown, and I doubt if he recover from his hurts ; and 
the second has been sore ill-treated, so that his bones are 
broken. If God have not pity on their souls they will 
both die. Would that I had some one who would avenge 
me on this man, for he wrestleth not in fairness and 
honor, and if he live he will work the harm of more men. ” 
“Good man,” said Gamelyn, “I will be thy champion, 
if only thou wilt hold my horse the while. Help me to 
draw off my shoes and guard thou my clothes, and I will 
try if I may speed better than thy sons. ” 

“Willingly,” replied the franklin. “I would be more 


GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 35 

thy servant if thou canst avenge me on this foul wrestler. 
Have no care for thy horse and thy clothes. I will guard 
them as my own.” 

So Gamelyn made his way into the ring, barefoot and 
in his shirt, and with his belt loosened that he might 
have full play of his muscles. And every one took heed 
of him and admired his tall person and his well-filled 
muscles, and they wondered that he should adventure 
himself to wrestle with a man who had wellnigh killed 
all his opponents. 

But they had not long to think ot that or to wish that 
he might be better advised, for the challenger started up 
quickly when he saw Gamelyn enter the field, and he 
went up to him, and demanded to know his name and 
where he was born. And he was so sure that he him- 
self should bear away the prize, that he thought it not 
worth while to wrestle with any newcomer, and he tried 
to dissuade Gamelyn. “Thou art a great fool,” said he. 
“Thou lookest not like a wrestler; what business hast 
thou here? Thou art too young.” 

But Gamelyn thought nothing less than to give up the 
strife, though he was willing to parley for a while, and 
he answered: “Thou well knewest my father when he 
was alive. He was Sir John of Boundys, and I am his 
youngest son Gamelyn.” 

“Say you so?” replied the champion. “Yes', I did 
know thy father well, and thou wert a very shrew when 
thou wast young. Thou wast ever at some mischief. ” 

Now this was not true, for Gamelyn had ever been 


36 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


an upright and an honorable lad, but he retorted: 
“Thou shalt find me a greater shrew now that I am 
grown, and I shall do thee a greater mischief than all 
before. Come, let us draw lots for the turn, for it is 
growing evening and the moon is already above the 
horizon, and I must be at home again ere nightfall.” 
So they cast lots, and it fell to Gamelyn to defend 
himself. “Come on,” said he. “Do thy worst.” The 
champion tried all his sleights upon him, but Gamelyn 
knew the trick of every sleight, and at last when the 
challenger had tried all his tricks, Gamelyn said: “Now 
thou hast had thy turn ; defend thyself and let me try 
if I can throw thee. ” In a moment he had thrown the 
stout champion on the ground with such force that three 
of his ribs were broken with the fall, and his arm cracked 
that all the bystanders might hear it. 

“Shall we call it a throw or not?” asked Gamelyn, 
hut the wrestler was in no mood for jesting. 

“ Call it what pleaseth thee,” said he. “The man that 
tackles thee shall never thrive, that know I well. I did 
never meet a man who could give me so sore a throw.” 

But the franklin was well pleased, and cried out from 
where he stood by the horse, with Gamely n’s shoes and 
his cloak, “Blessed be thou, Gamelyn, and blessed be 
the mother that bare thee ; ” and he scoffed at the cham- 
pion as he lay in the middle of the wrestling field. “ That 
is young Gamelyn,” quoth he, “who taught you that 
play; may you profit by the lesson.” 

But the champion was ill-pleased at that word. “He 



Robin Hood as Potteb (Page 18) 




38 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


is master of us all,” said he, “and his play is dangerous. 
Since I began to wrestle, and that was full long ago, I 
was never so sore handled.” And with that he was 
borne away to have his broken bones set as best he might. 

Thus it came about that Gamelyn learned his strength. 
He was master of that bout, but he was eager for another 
match, and as he stood there alone in the middle of the 
ring, he looked about. “Are there any more,” said he, 
“who will try their luck ? This fellow seems by his coun- 
tenance to desire to rest.” But there was no one came 
forward to dispute the prize with Gamelyn; and so he 
carried off the ram and the ring, and departed to his 
brother’s house; and all the people rejoiced, and accom- 
panied him with shouting and singing. 

But his brother was sore grieved to see him coming 
home, whole and sound of limb. Moreover he was 
frightened at the rabble of his companions who were 
bringing him home ; and being an evil man himself he 
feared evil of others. “Now,” thought he within him- 
self, “Gamelyn has made friends with this people and 
he will attack me in my house, for all the wrong I have 
done him ; ” and he bade his porter shut the gate and 
deny them entrance, while he himself withdrew to a lit- 
tle turret where he could watch the courtyard. 

So when Gamelyn knocked at the gate it was fast shut 
and the porter would for no entreaties open it. “What 
shall be done?” thought Gamelyn. “Here are all these 
good friends come home with me, and the gate is barred. 
I will break it, for they must feast here to-night ; else 


GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 39 

were I discourteous to them. ” So saying he heat upon 
the gate with such strength that it fell, and Gamelyn 
with all his friends entered. And for that night they 
feasted and made merry; and in the morning they 



thanked Gamelyn for his good wine and fair food, and 
departed. 

Now all this while his surly brother lay in the little 
turret chamber, quaking within himself to hear all the 


40 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


merriment in the hall below ; and he bethought himself 
and said: “Now will Gamely n be prouder than before, 
that he hath got the prize and the people know him. 
NTow will he not be content to remain with me, but he 
will demand his houses and his lands ; and if I give them 
not he will serve me as he has served this champion. 
Woe is me that I lent him my horse to go to the wres- 
tling. ” And he cast about in his mind what he might do 
to rid himself of his troublous brother. 

In the meanwhile, when all the guests were gone, 
Gamelyn inquired for his brother, and when he learned 
that he had shut himself up in the little turret chamber, 
he laughed loudly to himself. “Is he afraid of me, for- 
sooth?” thought he; and he shouted up from the court- 
yard: “What aileth thee my brother, that thou hidest 
all this while from me and my friends, when they have 
been rejoicing with me because of the ram and the ring 
which I have brought home? Wilt thou not come down 
and see the prize? ’Tis a good fat one. Thou needest 
no longer be afraid, for my guests are all departed, and 
we are but man to man. I give thee my word, there is 
no harm intended thee, though thou hast disgraced me 
and kept from me my houses and lands.” 

Then the brother thought : “For this time I am safe, 
and I will work his destruction before many days.” And 
he descended and made as if he were glad that Gamelyn 
had won the prize, and he admired the ram. But when 
he saw how much they had wasted the wine and meat 
during the night, he turned to Gamelyn in anger and 


GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 41 

said: “Who made thee so bold to destroy all my store of 
provender, and broach my casks of wine? Thou hast 
wasted a year’s substance.” 

But Gamelyn laughed and said: “It was long since 
paid for. By So. Bichard, thou hast had the use of my 
plowlands these sixteen years, and thou. hast had the in- 
crease of all the cattle and sheep that my father be- 
queathed to me. I make thee a present of them now, for 
the store of wine and of meat and bread that we have 
eaten and drunk.” 

Then the brother made as though he were appeased, 
and he said: “By St. John, thou art a generous youth. 
I will make restitution for all thy lands and thy goods; 
and look you, I have no heirs of my body. I will make 
thee my sole heir, and when I die thou shalt have all my 
rents and my castle.” And Gamelyn, who thought no 
guile in his heart, took his brother at his word; and 
lived carelessly and in friendship with his brother. 

But all the while his wicked brother was plotting mis^ 
chief against him, and one day as he lay asleep in the 
great hall after dinner, and there was no friend nigh 
him, his brother set upon him with his strong men and 
they bound him with stout cords, and put fetters upon 
his ankles, and upon his wrists, and bound him to the 
.pillar that was in the middle of the hall, and there they 
left him. 

In this fashion he remained for two days and two 
nights without meat or drink, and he could by no means 
loose himself from his chains. The next day there was 


42 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


to be a great feast in the castle, of all the monks and 
abbots, and perchance the Bishop himself would come ; 
and there was great preparation and running to and fro 
of the servants. The cellarer and the butler and the 
chief cook and Adam Spenser were told to prepare their 
best, and the servants, as well as the men-at-arms, 
were cautioned to have a guard of the false Gamelyn. 
“For,” said the wicked brother, “he hath sought my life, 
to kill me privily while I was in bed, and therefore 
I keep him bound till the Sheriff can know of it ; and I 
will ask my guests to-morrow for their counsel, what I 
should do with so false a brother as Gamelyn.” 

Now the men-at-arms were strangers that knew not the 
truth concerning Gamelyn and his brother, and they 
scowled upon Gamelyn, and gave him many a taunt ; but 
the servants no more than half believed what the master 
of the castle told them, for they knew Gamelyn to be a 
gentle youth and well-disposed. In especial, Adam the 
spenser for the household was full sure that some treason 
had been done on Gamelyn, and when he saw an occasion 
he drew near and spoke to him, and asked him how he 
came there. So Gamelyn told him all, and begged Adam 
to unlock his fetters and Adam promised to do so. 

Then Adam bethought himself : “It may be discovered 
that it is I who have unlocked his fetters, and though 
he may escape, yet I shall be held in blame, and the 
master of the castle may kill me ; ” and he told his doubts 
to Gamelyn and proposed a strategem. 

“Do thou stay quietly by the pillar,” said he, “as if 


GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 43 

thy fetters were still locked, and as the guests come in 
and behold thee, we can judge by their words if they 
be friendly or not. If they be friendly, they will beg 
thy false brother to set thee free, and then I can come 
and make as if I were unlocking thy fetters ; but if they 
be unfriendly, then do thou wait till I give the signal. 

I have two stout oaken staves in the pantry, and the 
servants will help us, and when I am ready I will give 
thee a wink. Then do thou jump up from thy place by 
the pillar, and come quickly to the pantry. Thou shalt 
have one of the staves, and we will lay about us if any 
one attacks us ; and if they are too many for us, at least 
we can escape by the little wicket gate and flee to the 
woods. ” 

“ Well and wisely said,” returned Gamelyn, and it was 
done accordingly. 

The next day was Sunday and a great festival ; and 
all the monks and abbots and priests and canons in the 
• shire were bidden to the feast. And as they began to 
arrive, the false brother stood by the door to welcome 
them ; and as they cast their eyes in wonder upon Gam- 
elyn where he lay in chains, his brother told them, first 
one and then another, all manner of lies about him ; how 
that he had set the house on fire, and how he had lain in 
wait to kill his brother, and how he was so violent and * 
dangerous that the only safety for all was to bind him 
in fetters. “For,” said he, “he is stark mad and might 
do us all some grievous mischief as we sit at meat.” 

But Gamelyn said not a word. He thought on the 


44 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 



strategem and bided liis time. Then when they were 
all set down to the board, and two or three courses had 
been served, and no heed was paid to Gamelyn, whether 
he was hungry or thirsty, he spoke out, and said: “By 

Him that made us 
all, it is not well 
done that I should 
sit fasting while 
all ye are well- 
served and are 
glad. Brother, 
will you not com- 
mand that some 
meat and wine be 
brought to me?” 
But the brother 
only looked wroth 
and again told 
the guests all 
manner of lies 
about Gamelyn. 

Then Gamelyn 
changed his tone, 
and begged the 
guests to set him 
free. “By Him that died on the cross and whom ye 
serve,” said he, “help Gamelyn out of prison.” But no 
one had pity on him. One abbot said: “Woe betide 
him who shall set you free. Thou deservest rather 


GAMELYN QUARRELS WITH HIS BROTHER 45 

torture than gladness.” Another abbot took up the 
word: “I would thou wert dead,” said he. “ Though 
thou wert my brother, I would wish evil to him who 
should do good by thee.” Then a prior said: “Evil 
befall thee. It is a great shame, boy, that thou still 
livest.” 

“Alas!” said Gamelyn, “now see I that I have no 
friends. Cursed be he who ever does any good to these 
Norman abbots and canons. They care not who suffers, 
so their own bellies are filled and their bodies clad in soft 
garments.” And he looked toward Adam where he 
stood in the pantry to see if it were time to move. But 
Adam in soberness laid the next course ; and he looked 
to Gamelyn and saw that his blood was up, and that he 
would hardly wait for the signal. Then he ran to the 
door where he had the two good staves; and Gamelyn 
saw him and came quickly to him, casting aside his fet- 
ters as of no weight or hindrance. 

Each one seized his quarter-staff, and they began to 
lay about them, while the servants, who were well -in- 
clined toward Gamelyn, stood by ; and the monks and 
abbots fell before him like wheat before the mower’s 
scythe. “Gamelyn,” said Adam, as he saw him dealing 
about his blows, “do them no hurt. They be men of 
holy church, though they be evil themselves.” And 
Gamelyn restrained himself and drew no blood, though 
he gave many a hard knock which they would feel for 
the next twelvemonth. When he had given them all a 
taste of his strength and his wrath, he desisted, and they 


46 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


were helped into their wagons and carried home, sorely 
lamenting that they had not stayed there to dine on 
bread and water as was fitting to them. 


CHAPTER VI 

GAMELYN BECOMES WILL SCARLET 

In this manner was Gamely n set free, but now he could 
no longer trust his brother, and there could no more be 
semblance of peace between them, and he knew not what 
to do. If he remained where he was, the Sheriff would be 
upon him for breaking the King’s peace, and he knew 
that his brother would not scruple to tell false tales of 
him. Moreover the Sheriff was a friend of his brother’s 
and he could not hope to clear himself without friends 
or money. Yet he liked not to go away and become an 
outlaw, for then his estates would be forfeited, and his 
brother would gain by law what he had so long held by 
sufferance. 

Nevertheless, he took Adam Spenser’s counsel in the 
matter, who said that the abbots and monks would surely 
give an account to the Sheriff of all they had suffered, 
and that he would be upon them before they could rally 
any friends. The best they could do was to hie away 
to the greenwood, and there lie hid till the hue and cry 
had passed. “I have heard,” said Adam, “that the 
Sheriff lay not five miles from here last night. We have 



Robin Hood and Wild Scaelet (Page 51 ) 


48 


THE TALE OF ROBIN. HOOD 


no time to lose. Go we to the woods before we be found. 
Better there in freedom than fast bound in the town.” 
So they took a draught of wine, seized each one his bow 
and arrows and departed ; and when the Sheriff came he 
found the nest but the birds were flown. 

Before Adam and Gamelyn had wandered far in the 
forest they became mightily hungry and weary, for they 
had not taken part in the feast with the monks and abbots, 
and they had but stopped for a swallow of wine when 
they set out. So great was their weariness that ere long 
Adam began to complain: “By St. Bichard,” said he, 
“now see I that it is vastly merrier to be spenser in a 
great man’s castle and to bear the keys, than to walk in 
these wild woods tearing my clothes at every step. ” 

“Courage, good Adam,” answered Gamelyn. “Many 
a rich man’s son has been brought into trouble ere now ; ” 
and as he was speaking, they heard the sounds of men’s 
voices in the distance. They turned their steps in that 
direction, and as they looked under the trees, they beheld 
nigh seven score men feasting right merrily in a pleasant 
glade in the forest. In the middle of the glade rose a 
tall and stately oak tree and beneath it the men were 
carousing and singing gayly, while they ate their meat 
and drank the foaming ale. They were all clothed in 
Lincoln green, except one who seemed to be the leader 
of the band, and he was clad out in scarlet velvet. A 
fine showing they made among the flickering shadows. 

How Gamelyn himself always wore scarlet, and on this 
occasion he had scarlet hose and a scarlet doublet made 


GAMELYN BECOMES WILL SCARLET 


49 


of the finest cloth, and all lined with silk ; his bow was 
tipped with scarlet and from his cap there flaunted a 
scarlet cock’s feather. For he was a dainty youth, and 



loved to deck himself in becoming fashion, and though 
he was going into the wild woods he had not left off the 
costume that would be fitting to a lady’s bower. 

4 


50 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


When Gamelyn saw the feasting and the merriment, 
his heart grew light within him. “ After bale, cometh 
boot,” cried he to Adam. “ After sorrow comes the 
healing. Look, Adam, methinks I have sight of a good 
meal.” As he said these words, the king of this com- 
pany looked up and beheld the bright red color of 
Gamely n’s garments, and as he was ever ready to wel- 
come a stranger, he called out to his men: “ Yonder are 
two strangers, and they seem well clothed. Perchance 
there are more behind them. Go some of you and fetch 
them hither. They shall pay their reckoning ere they 
depart. Let us see what men they are. ” 

At these words up started seven young men from their 
dinner, in no very good humor, you may be sure, to be 
interrupted between the meat and the pudding; and 
when they were near enough, one of them shouted, 
u Yield your bows and arrows, young men. None pass 
here without paying tribute to our master,” and they 
were for laying hands on the two. 

But Gamelyn retorted: “A plague upon him who 
would yield his bow to you. We will guard them 
though ye fetch five more and make yourselves twelve 
against two.” 

Then the seven stood still and bethought themselves 
that if this stranger was so bold as to fight, one man to 
six, it behoved them to be more courteous to him, and 
they replied more mildly : “ We will thee no harm, young 
man. But come before our master and make known 
your wants. Perchance ye are friends.” 


GAMELYN BECOMES WILL SCARLET 51 

“Who is your master ?” asked Gamelyn, and they re- 
plied, “Our master is Robin Hood, king of outlaws. ” 

“Adam,” said Gamelyn, “let us go to him. He will 
not in very shame deny us meat and drink, and if he be 
of gentle blood he may do us some good turn. ” 

“By St. James,” returned Adam, “I would adventure 
anything for some food. Let us go on ; ” and they ad- 
vanced into the green glade, and saluted fairly the king 
of the outlaws; and Robin Hood greeted them as kindly 
and asked: “What seek ye under the greenwood tree? 
Ye be too finely clothed in scarlet for a common man. ” 
Then Gamelyn replied: “He must needs walk in the 
wood who can not walk in town. We are here to do 
no harm, but if it be to shoot a deer by way of getting us 
food, for we are nigh famished.” 

“Sit ye down and welcome,” said Robin Hood; “and 
after dinner we will try if thou canst shoot a deer. Thou 
lookest stalwart enough, but thy garments are over 
dainty. I trow thou hast been bred in the lady’s bower. ” 
Then when they had washed their hands as courtesy 
required, they sat them down and ate right heartily, and 
after a good flagon of ale, Little John said to his master: 
“Let us now try the shooting, for methinks I have a de- 
sire to see how this young fellow may disport himself. 
He looketh too young to have much strength in his arm.” 
So Robin Hood arose, and they walked together out into 
the forest, and Robin Hood said: “Let me see if thou 
canst bring down a deer for to-morrow’s meal.” 

Now Gamelyn had never been in the forest before, and 


52 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


he knew not whether he could shoot to please these new 
friends, for he had often heard of the feats of Eobin 
Hood and Little John, and of Will Stutely and Midge 
the Miller’s son, and of their great skill with the bow. 



But he was nothing daunted, and he let not even Adam 
Spenser know that he quaked in his boots for fear he 
should not succeed. “For,” said he to himself, “this 
Eobin Hood will be my friend if I please him, and per- 


GAMELYN BECOMES WILL SCARLET 5& 

chance I may live with him, since I cannot live in town.” 
So he made as if he had been shooting deer all his life. 
Indeed he had often practised at the butts and was ac- 
counted a good marksman. 

“With all my heart, ” he replied to Eobin Hood, “I 
lay a wager that I can shoot with the best of your men. 
Show me but the deer.” 

“ Have a care, ” laughed Eobin Hood. “ Here is Little 
John who is accounted our best marksman, and Midge 
and a host of others ; but if thou canst shoot a deer at 
thirty rods thou wilt do. ” 

“Thirty rods?” said Gamelyn; “that is but child’s 
play.” At that instant he saw a herd of deer feeding 
full forty rods away. He picked out his best arrow and 
bent his bow and sent a gray goose shaft whizzing among 
the trees and bushes. It pierced the heart of the finest 
buck in the herd, so that he fell lifeless to the ground 
and the whole troop galloped away in fear and astonish- 
ment. 

“Well shot,” quoth Eobin Hood; “who art thou that 
thou canst aim so well,_and pull so strong a bow? Thou 
hast been well trained. Wilt thou be one of my men ? ” 

“Gamelyn is my name,” answered the young man; 
“the youngest son of Sir John of Boundys;” and he re- 
lated how he had been ill-treated by his brother, and 
how he had fled from the Sheriff. 

But Eobin Hood could scarce contain his impatience, 
as he told his story. “ If thou art Gamelyn, the son of 
Sir John of Boundys, ” cried he, “ thou art my own sister’s 


54 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


son, and a good welcome thou gettest from me. I will 
make thee chief over my men uncier Little John, and 
mayhap we shall find a time to avenge thee on thy false 
brother, my cousin, and on the Sheriff ; and if I can 
bring it about thou shalt some time get back thy lands. 
Only live with me in the meanwhile. And because of 
thy gay clothing and thy brave bearing, we will call thee 
Scarlet. Will Scarlet shall be thy name.” 

So Gamely n became Will Scarlet, and he served Kobin 
Hood till there came a time at last when he could get 
back his lands. But in the meanwhile he led a gay life 
in the greenwood for many a long year, and glad he was 
for the mischance that had brought him there. 


CHAPTER YII 

ROBIN HOOD FIGHTS WITH THE CURTAL FRIAR 

Thus it was that Robin Hood increased his band ; but 
one day he had a tussle with a friar and the friar had 
near overcome him; and who knows who would have 
been king of the outlaws if that had happened ? How- 
ever, we need not consider that, for the friar, in the end, 
gladly became his man, and took the name of Friar Tuck, 
of whom everybody has heard. 

In the merry month of May, when leaves grow green 
and flowers are fresh, Robin Hood and his men were 
celebrating the return of the new year. Some practised 


ROBIN HOOD FIGHTS WITH THE CURTAL FRIAR 55 

at the long jump, some ran races, and some were tum- 
bling about just for the spring that had got into them and 
made them frolicsome. For the last game of all, Eobin 
proposed a shooting match. 

u Who can draw a good bow ? ” said he. u Let all such 
take their chances at killing a buck or a doe. Or if he 
can kill a great hart at five hundred feet, he shall win 
the prize. ” 

So they all looked to their bows and stretched the 
strings to see if they were taut and strong. Then they 
examined their arrows and picked out the best they could 
find. Some of them had gay arrows, made with pea- 
cocks’ feathers, that shone and glistened in the sunlight. 
They were good arrows, too, albeit some persons think 
that the feathers are so long and loose that they are not 
fitted to keep the arrow straight to its mark. However 
that may be, Midge the Miller’s son knew well how to 
cut and bind his peacock’s feathers; and he had some 
arrows that would speed surely and pierce deeply. But 
most of the men preferred arrows made of the gray 
goose’s wing. These feathers are short and stiff, and 
though they glitter not so much in the sun, yet they 
seldom go astray. 

And so they began their shooting, some going in one 
direction, and some in another, for the marks were to be 
the wild deer, and they must separate, and keep silent 
lest they startle the poor creatures. It was not long ere 
Will Scarlet returned with a fine buck thrown over his 
shoulders; and in a short time came Midge who had 


J 


56 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


killed a doe. She was a beautiful, graceful creature with 
soft brown skin dappled with white ; scarcely had they 
admired her sufficiently when Little John came up, bear- 
ing a huge hart, fat and sleek, which he had killed at 
five hundred feet. 

“ A blessing on thee,” said Eobin Hood, “I did never 
think thou shouldst profit so by my teaching. I would 
ride a hundred miles to find one who could match thee.” 

“Ho! ho!” laughed Will Scarlet, “there is a man at 
Fountain’s Abbey who can draw a strong bow. He 
taught me to shoot and to wrestle. He is a friar, too ; 
but he’d beat you and your bowmen, set them all in a 
row. ” 

“How is that?” cried Eobin Hood. “By Our Lady, 
I will neither eat nor drink till I have seen this friar ; ” 
forthwith he put on his harness, fastened his steel cap 
on his head, and fixed the sword and buckler by his 
side. They became him mightily, and no one would have 
recognized the light-hearted Eobin Hood of Sherwood 
Forest in this stern warrior. He seemed the King’s man- 
at-arms, bound on some important mission. Then he 
took his bow in his hand, made of tough and trusty 
yew tree, stuck a sheaf of arrows in his belt and started 
forth. 

Now you must know that Fountain’s Abbey nearEipon 
is a long distance from Sherwood by Nottingham, as you 
will see by looking on the map, and Eobin Hood was 
both hungry and weary when he arrived in Fountain’s 
Dale. And when he saw a friar walking by the river- 



Robin Hood and the Cuetal Fkiar (Page 58 ) 


58 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


side he alighted and tied his horse to a thorn bush. He 
had no mind to urge his tired horse through the river. 

“Ho! there ! ” shouted he to the friar ; “ carry me over 
this water, thou curtal friar, or else thy life’s forlorn. ” 

Without a word the friar turned, took him on his back, 
and proceeded to carry him over. It was deep water, 
and Robin Hood was a heavy burden with armor on his 
back, but the friar spoke neither good word nor bad till 
he came to the other side. Lightly did Robin Hood leap 
down from the friar’s back and was walking on his way, 
when the friar said to him: “Carry me back over this 
water, my fine fellow, or it shall be the worse for thee. ” 
And Robin on his side, thinking it a good joke that the 
friar should make so free with him, bent his back and 
the friar leaped up. 

Deep water did Robin have to stride through, and the 
friar had to tuck his gown all up about him to keep from 
wetting it ; but they crossed the river without a syllable 
till Robin Hood had set him down on the other bank. 

“Now, then,” said Robin Hood, “carry me over again, 
or it shall breed thee pain.” 

The friar lifted his eyebrows and regarded Robin Hood 
for a moment ; then he stooped for him to get on, and 
waded up to his waist without speaking a word. Sud- 
denly he tipped Robin Hood off into the water. 

“Now choose, my fine fellow,” shouted he, “whether 
thon’lt sink or swim.” But Robin caught hold of a bush 
of broom, and pulled himself out. Then he took his 
bow in his hand, picked out one of his best ariows, and 


ROBIN HOOD FIGHTS WITH THE CURTAL FRIAR 59 

let fly at the friar ; but the friar was provided with a 
good stout buckler and he caught the arrow on it. 

u Shoot on, shoot on,” said he. “If thou shoot here a 



summer’s day I will not shun thy mark.” And Eobin 
shot and shot, till all his arrows were gone. He was 
a passing good archer, but the friar put aside every one 
of his arrows with his buckler. 


60 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Then they took to their swords and fought with might 
and main. Robin Hood knew by this time that he had 
found the friar he was seeking and he fought with a will, 
for he was loath to go back and own to Will Scarlet that 
he had been beaten. They fought from ten in the morn- 
ing till four by the clock in the afternoon, and neither 
could gain the advantage. 

“Well,” thought Robin Hood to himself, “if I cannot 
gain him man to man, I must try the other way ; ” and 
he begged a boon of the friar that he might be suffered 
to set horn to his lips and blow three blasts. “ Blow on, ” 
assented the friar. “ I have no fear of thy blasts. Blow 
till thine eyes fall out, for all me.” 

So Robin Hood set his horn to his lips, and blew three 
blasts; which were answered by the shouts of half a 
hundred yeomen who came raking over the lea. They 
had followed him not far off and had hidden themselves 
in a fern brake to watch the contest ; for Will Scarlet 
had filled their minds with wonder, by his strange tales 
of the friar, and they were divided between curiosity, and 
fear for their master. The friar seemed hardly canny, 
by all they could make out, and they made sure he had 
leagued himself with the Evil One if he could overcome 
their master. 

“Whose men are these?” said the friar, “that come 
so hastily.” 

“They are mine, ” said Robin Hood. “What is that 
to thee ? ” 

“Oh! nothing,” answered the friar. “But now I beg 


ROBIN HOOD FIGHTS WITH THE CURTAL FRIAR 61 

a boon of thee, such as I gave thee. Let me whistle 
three times on my fingers, and we shall see what we shall 
see.” 

“Whistle away, I were to blame if I gave thee not 
leave,” Eobin Hood replied. “I should be glad to hear 
three whistles on a friar’s fingers.” 

So the friar whistled three times, and fifty bandogs 
appeared as by magic, running from the abbey garden. 
“Here’s a dog for every man of thine,” said the friar, 
“and myself to match with thee.” 

“Hay,” said Eobin Hood, “I had rather be matched 
with three of thy dogs than with thee. But call off thy 
dogs and let ns have friendship.” So the friar whistled 
again to his dogs, and they crouched down every one 
where he was. 

“How what is thy will?” said the friar. “I will 
listen to thee.” 

And Eobin begged him to come with him and live in 
the greenwood. “For,” said he, “we have need of a 
priest to shrive ns and say matins for us, and to sing 
the mass; it is right seldom that we dare go to town 
for the rites of Holy Church.” “With all my heart,” re- 
plied the friar. “I do love venison and good ale, and I 
trow I can find as good a bed in the greenwood as in 
the Abbey. Moreover, I can troll a catch as well as sing 
mass; and mayhap your band will be merrier for my 
company. ” 

So it was that the curtal friar fought with Eobin Hood 
and overcame him, and afterwards became one of the mer- 


62 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


riest of Robin Hood’s merry men; and because bis gar- 
ments were still tucked up about him as they were when 
he was wading through the river, and because he found 
it most fitting to wear them tucked up when he was walk- 
ing about in the forest, they dubbed him Friar Tuck. 

CHAPTER VIII 

ROBIN HOOD GIVES ALLEN A-DALE HIS BRIDE 

Robin Hood did not always keep himself hid in the 
forest, as you shall hear. He was a right religious man 
and would often go to the town to pray in the church or 
to hear mass, when none recognized him, and if he had 
a chance to do a good deed even in the town, he did it in 
spite of monks and sheriffs. 

One day he stood leaning on his bow, under a great 
forest tree. The earth was carpeted with moss beneath 
his feet, and the leaves glinted in the sunlight. At such 
a time it was good just to be alive and breathe the sweet 
air. Suddenly he espied a gay young man come whis- 
tling along the path close beside him. He was clad in 
scarlet cloth, and he seemed as merry as the day is long. 
The long red feather in his cap nodded and danced with 
his footsteps and the roundelay that he chanted sounded 
like wedding bells. This was the song he sang : 

I will be plain 
And love affain 
For as I mean, 

So take me ! 


ROBIN HOOD GIVES ALLEN A-DALE HIS BRIDE 63 


If I refrain 
For woe, or pain 
Your love certain; 

Forsake me. 

If diligence 
In your presence 
Show my pretence; 

So take me! 

If negligence 
In my absence 
Show my offence; 

Forsake me ! 

If I do prove 
That I you love 
Next God above; 

So take me ! 

If I remove 
From your behove 
Without excuse; 

Forsake me ! 

By land, or sea, 

Wherever I be, 

As ye find' me, 

So take me! 

And if I lie 
And from you flee. 

Aye while I die, 

Forsake me! 

Eobin eyed him well and thought : 11 He were a good 
merry fellow for the greenwood to whistle and sing for 
ns when we are sore pressed by the Sheriffs men and the 


64 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


deer are scarce.” But he showed himself not to the 
young man and let him pass on his way. 

On the morrow, the youth came again that way, but 
he was trailing one foot behind the other and it seemed 
that he had not heart even to chant a miserere. His 
scarlet plume hung limp over his shoulder, and his gay 
coat was muddied, and the garters at his knees had not 
been tied. 

“ There goes a woful knight,” said Robin Hood to his 
mates. “ Fetch him hither.” XJp sprang Midge the 
Miller’s son and Little John, and started out of the 
thicket toward the stranger, but when the young man 
saw them he bent his bow and cried, “ Stand off! What 
do you want with me!” 

“ You must come before our master straight,” answered 
they. “ Yonder he sits under the greenwood tree. ” And 
the youth was so spiritless that he suffered himself to be 
led away to where sat Robin Hood and the whole band. 

“Hast thou any money for me and my merry men? ” 
asked Robin Hood. “None pass here without paying 
toll, unless he can give good reason why he should be 
excused.” 

“Take my money, for all me,” sighed the young man. 
“But I have nothing except five shillings and this gold 
ring. I have kept it seven years to serve at my wed- 
ding, but now I shall need it no more. Yesterday I was 
to be married to a fair maid, but they have taken her 
from me and have given her to an old knight. She 
loves me still, that I know ; but the knight will carry 


ROBIN HOOD GIVES ALLEN A-DALE HIS BRIDE 65 

her off to the south country, and I have no money or 
friends to move her father, and my poor heart is slain.” 

“ What is thy name 1 ? ” asked Eobin Hood. “And is 
the lady yet married, or knowest thou where she is? ” 

“ Truly my name is Allen a-Dale, ” answered the youth ; 
“and my love is to be married to-day.” 

“What wilt thou give me in gold or service,” said 
Eobin Hood, “if I rescue the lady and deliver her over 
to thee ? ” 

The young man’s eyes brightened for a moment, but 
then he said: “I have no money or lands, but I will be 
your true servant for life if you can win my bride for 
me. ’Tis not more than five miles to the church where 
she is to be married, and by this, I reckon the wedding 
party will have set out. The old knight is in a fever of 
haste, lest anything should change her father’s purpose 
or come between him and his bride.” 

“We shall be in time,” said Eobin Hood. “May the 
Blessed Virgin stead me now.” And he stopped but 
long enough to change his Lincoln green and his forest 
cap for a sober brown robe of Friar Tuck’s. Then he 
took the harp on which they were wont to play when 
they had their games after dinner, and bidding his men 
follow him at a distance, he rode off in haste. 

It was not long ere he had covered the five miles to 
the village, and tying his horse at the edge of the woods 
he walked quietly toward the church, just in time to see 
the wedding party approaching from the other side. 

“What are you doing here?” said the priest, as they 


66 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


met at the church door. “It seems you do not belong 
among the wedding guests. ” 

“No,” answered Robin Hood, “but I am a harper, the 
best in the north country, and I have come to grace the 



nuptials. ” Meanwhile he cast his eyes upon the bride 
and saw a right radiant damsel clothed in blue, the color 
of the sky, and with rich ornaments in her golden hair. 
But her eyes were heavy with weeping, and she scarce 



Robin Hood and Fbiae Tuck (Page 61) 


68 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


noticed the knight by her side who looked fiercely about, 
as who should say, “ Touch this damsel if you dare. She 
is mine. ” 

For all that, Eobin Hood contrived to give her a sign 
that she need not despair, and she began to look up more 
cheerily, wondering what this strange harper might have 
to say. 

“You are welcome,” said the priest after a slight 
pause. “ The music of the harp is most fitting to a wed- 
ding. ” 

By this time they had all filed into the church, and 
Eobin Hood, who pretended not to have seen the wed- 
ding couple, answered: “Music, I shall be glad to give, 
but no music shall you have till I have seen the bride 
and bridegroom, that I may know what music is fitting. 
How is this?” he continued, as the groom led for- 
ward the unwilling bride. “This is no fitting match. 
Here’s a wealthy old knight, grave and gray. If he wed 
at all, it should be some court lady as old as himself ; not 
this country lass. She would soon tire of his ancient 
face and his limping gait. And he — why he’s fitter for 
a sick-bed than a wedding. But ’tis not seemly to de- 
prive so fair a lady of a husband, if she wish one, and 
since we have come to church she shall choose her own 
mate.” 

With that he pulled his horn out from under his brown 
robe and blew a loud blast, while the priest trembled in 
his cassock at the bold harper’s words, and all the mar- 
riage party stared about in wonderment. 


ROBIN HOOD GIVES ALLEN A-DALE HIS BRIDE 69 

But in a moment they stared in good earnest, for a 
score of men came leaping out of the wood, with their 
bows in their hands and each a sheaf of arrows in his 
belt. As they reached the churchyard they formed 
themselves all in a row, and Allen a-Dale was the first 
to come up and present a bow to Bobin Hood. 

The damsel’s eyes shone when she beheld her true 
lover, and it was not hard to see whom she would 
choose. The old knight laid his hand on his sword as if 
to draw it from its scabbard and fight with the whole 
company, but no one else raised a finger ; for, sooth to 
say, young Allen was so handsome that the bridesmaids 
fell in love with him themselves, and all the party felt 
in their hearts it would be a shame to match their fair 
cousin to the old knight. 

Bobin Hood did not wait for the bride to choose. 
“This is thy true love,” he said, “Allen a-Dale, as I hear 
say, and thou shalt be married to him ere we depart the 
church. ” 

“Not so,” interrupted the priest, who had recovered 
somewhat from his astonishment. “Thy word shall not 
hold. She must be asked three times in the church ; all 
men know that is the law of the land.” 

“So, so,” said Bobin Hood. “So be it then,” and he 
laid hold oh the priest and pulled off his gown, while all 
the bystanders stood about, afraid to stir a step or move 
a finger in behalf of the poor priest. “Here, Little 
John,” said Bobin, “put on this robe and ask the bans, 
for we can tarry no longer. ” 







n|| 

fen 





ROBIN HOOD GIVES ALLEN A-DALE HIS BRIDE 71 

So Little John put on the priest’s robe, though it was 
a mile too short for him, and went into the choir. By 
this time the people had recovered a little from their 
amazement and they began to laugh ; but Little John, 
nothing abashed, asked the bans seven times, lest three 
should not be enough. And no one making any objec- 
tion or showing cause why this man and this maid should 
not become man and wife — not even the priest daring to 
open his lips against these bold intruders — I verily be- 
lieve that Little John would have performed the cere- 
mony himself. But just in the nick of time Friar Tuck 
arrived upon the scene. 

“Who gives this maid away ? ” said he, but the father 
was too much astonished to say a word, and Bobin Hood 
cried out before them all : “ I give her away, and who ever 
takes her from Allen a-Dale full dearly shall he buy her.” 

So the wedding ended. The bride looked as fresh as 
a queen, and Allen a-Dale was ten times as radiant as he 
had been the day before, when he had sung so merrily 
and his plume had waved so gayly in the wind. And 
they all went back to the greenwood for the marriage 
feast, while the old knight slunk away, looking older 
and fiercer than ever, and the father knew not whether 
to laugh or cry that his daughter had married the hand- 
some young Allen, instead of the rich old knight he had 
chosen for her. 

Then Little John, who had introduced the fashion of 
singing when they had a feast under the greenwood tree, 
and sang a very good second to Will Scarlet, offered that 


72 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


they should sing together in honor of the bride. So all 
the band stopped their merrymaking to listen : 

“ Pack, clouds, away, and welcome, day ! 

With night we banish sorrow. 

Sweet air, blow soft ; mount, lark, aloft 
To give my love good morrow. 

Wings from the wing to please her mind, 

Notes from the lark I’ll borrow: 

Bird, prune thy wing, nightingale, sing, 

To give my love good morrow. 

To give my love good morrow, 

Notes from them all I’ll borrow. 

“Wake from thy nest, robin redbreast! 

Sing, birds, in every furrow, 

And from each bill let music shrill 
Give my fair love good morrow. 

Blackbird and thrush in every bush. 

Stare, linnet, and cock-sparrow, 

You pretty elves, amongst yourselves 
Sing my fair love good morrow. 

To give my love good morrow, 

Sing, birds, in every furrow.” 

And then Midge the Miller’s son, who had a very 
pretty tenor voice, sang these versesr 

Ah ! my sweet Sweeting ! 

My little pretty Sweeting ! 

My Sweeting will I love, where’er I go! 

She is so proper and pure 

Full, steadfast, stable, and demure, 

There is none such, ye may be sure ! 

As my sweet Sweeting! 


ROBIN HOOD RESCUES THREE SQUIRES 


73 


In all this world, as tliinketh me, 

Is none so pleasant to my e’e! 

That I am glad so oft to see, 

As my sweet Sweeting! 

When I beheld my Sweeting sweet, 

Her face, her hands, her minion feet ; 

They seem to me, there is none so meet 
As my sweet Sweeting ! 

Above all other, praise must I 
And love my pretty pigsney 1 
For none I find so womanly 
As my sweet Sweeting ! 

Thus they spent the time merrily, with pretty compli- 
ments to the bride, till the night was far spent ; and all 
the guests remembered that they must be about their 
business at home on the morrow, and took their leave 
with handshaking and pretty speeches. 


CHAPTER IX 

ROBIN HOOD RESCUES THREE SQUIRES 

’Twas the very next day that Eobin Hood rescued 
three squires from hanging, and yon may judge that a 
busy life he led of it, from weddings to hangings, mak- 
ing war upon the Sheriff or the monks, and all the spare 
days spent in jolly hunting. This day he met a poor old 
woman in the forest who was crying as though her heart 
would break. 


74 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“ What aileth tliee, old woman? ” asked Eobin Hood, 
“and what tidings bast tbon from Nottingham 1 ? ” 

“None but ill,” answered the old woman. “My three 
sons are to be hanged this day ; and my poor heart is 
broken. ” 

“But have they burnt any parishes or slain any minis- 
ters 1 ?” said Eobin Hood. “Or why do they hang this 

day ! ” 

“Neither have they burnt any parishes, nor slain any 
ministers,” replied she. 

“Then what have they done that deserves hanging 1 ? ” 

“It is for slaying the King’s fallow deer,” answered 
the poor old woman, “and for bearing their bows along 
with thy men.” 

“By the faith of my body,” quoth Eobin Hood, “thou 
couldst not have told me in better time. Mindst thou 
that thou didst make me sup and dine with thee, on the 
other side of the forest, when I was sore belated? I will 
repay thee thy kindness.” 

So he left the old woman, and stayed but long enough 
at the trysting-tree to bid his men be ready in case he 
should blow upon his horn ; and he hasted to the town. 
But on the way he met a simple old palmer who was 
wending his way from the town, and he stopped to ask 
him the tidings. 

“None but ill,” replied the palmer. “Three squires 
are to be hanged to-day. They are brave young men 
and all the town is mourning for them.” 

“Come,” said Eobin Hood, with a sudden thought, 


ROBIN HOOD RESCUES THREE SQUIRES 75 

“come change thy apparel with me, and I will give thee 
forty shillings to boot. Go drink it in wine or beer.” 

But the palmer was offended. “Thy apparel is 
good, ” he said ; “and mine is ragged and worn. Whether 



thou go or ride, thou shouldst never laugh an old man to 
scorn. It is not meet.” 

But Bobin Hood persisted. “Come,” said he. “Thou 
art a churl. Change thy apparel with me, and I will give 
thee twenty pieces of broad gold to feast thy brethren.” 


76 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Then the simple old man consented, and Eobin Hood 
took his clothes. But when Eobin put on the old man’s 
hat it stood full high in the crown. “I will make thee 
come down,” said Eobin Hood, “with the first bargain 
I come at in Nottingham.” 

Then he put on the old man’s cloak and it was patched 
with black and blue and red ; and he laughed when he 
thought how he must bear the bread bags all day long. 

Then he put on the old man’s breeches that were 
patched from knee to waistband. “By the truth of my 
body,” said Eobin, “this man loved pride but little.” 

Then he put on the old man’s hose, that were patched 
all round about. “By my troth,” thought Eobin Hood, 
“I could laugh at this frolic; I was never so bepatched 
since I went to the greenwood. ” 

And he put on the old man’s shoes, but they were 
patched above and beneath and there were holes into the 
bargain ; and Eobin Hood swore by Our Lady that it’s 
good clothes that makes a man. 

But now he was well disguised, and he limped into 
Nottingham with a gait that fitted well with his patches ; 
there he met the proud Sheriff, who was walking through 
the town, and the three squires were led behind him. 
Their hands were bound behind their backs and they 
hung their heads for very shame ; but Eobin Hood knew 
them well enough, for they sometimes came to him at his 
try sting -tree, and he knew they were bold hunters and 
brave young men. 

“A boon! a boon!” cried Eobin Hood. “And what 



The Wedding of Allen a Dale (Page 71 ) 




78 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


will you give a poor beggarman to be thy hangman to- 
day!” 

Then the Sheriff looked at him and noted his patched 
clothes, and he said in scorn: “You shall have all their 
gay clothing and all the white money they have in their 
pockets to get you hat and shoes.” 

“I’ll have none of their gay clothing,” replied Robin 
Hood, “nor any of their money; but I would have three 
blasts on my bugle horn that their souls may flee to 
heaven.” And with that he jumped over stock and 
stone to the gallows tree. 

“By my faith,” said the Sheriff, “that is well jumped. 
Thou art a nimble old man. I trow thou wilt be a good 
hangman ; ” but the words were scarce out of his mouth 
ere Robin Hood had blown a blast on his horn, and sixty 
bold yeomen came raking over the lea. A second time 
he blew, when a hundred of his stalwart young men came 
marching down a green hill. 

“Whose men are these? ” asked the Sheriff. 

“They are none of thine, you may be sure,” replied 
Robin Hood. “They are my attendants, and they have 
come to pay thee a visit and to fetch away these three 
squires.” 

“Marry, God forbid,” said the Sheriff. “They are 
the King’s felons and they are all condemned to die.” 

“Nevertheless,” returned Robin Hood, “thou shalt 
grant me my asking, or thou shalt be the first flower 
on this gallows-tree.” 

And the Sheriff held up his hands in token of submis- 


CHANGES CLOTHES WITH AN OLD WOMAN 79 

sion. “Take them, take them,” he said in great af- 
fright. “There’s never a man in all Nottingham can do 
the like of thee.” 

So Robin Hood departed with the three squires, and 
as soon as he might come to his trysting-tree he cast off 
the palmer’s weeds and clothed himself in a fresh suit of 
scarlet. 


CHAPTER X 

ROBIN HOOD CHANGES CLOTHES WITH AN OLD WOMAN 

Not long after this, the old woman had a chance to 
befriend Robin Hood, a thing that did not often happen, 
for his merry men were never far distant and he could 
always summon them with his horn. But this morning, 
by some mischance, he had left his horn under the tryst- 
ing-tree, and as he was ranging the forest in search of 
what he might find, he heard a great trampling of horses’ 
feet, and saw that a proud Bishop with all his company 
was near at hand. 

If he were taken he knew lie should be hanged, for 
bishops were no friends of his ; and how to escape he 
did not know. It was the month of April before the 
leaves have grown green on the trees, and so his own 
green suit would be the more noticeable. His horn was 
gone, and the Bishop’s men were scouring the woods in 
all directions, as if in quest of something. But by good 
luck there was a small hut by the roadside, where dwelt 
the mother of the three squires he had so lately rescued, 


80 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


and he turned to the door and cried out to the old woman 
to let him in. 

“ Who art thou?” she cried from a back room. 

“Robin Hood,” answered he; “and yonder is the 
Bishop with all his men, and if I be taken he will hang 
me in very spite.” 

“If thou be Robin Hood,” replied the old woman, 
“thou art thrice welcome to me,” and she hastened from 
the inner room to unfasten the door. “Have no fear, 
I will provide for thee, and hide thee from the Bishop 
and all his company. I have not forgotten my three 
sons whom thou didst rescue for me ; and ’tis not so long 
either since thou didst buy me shoes and hose one Satur- 
day night.” 

“Then give me thy gray coat,” said Robin Hood, “and 
I’ll resign to thee my green mantle and my bow and ar- 
rows. I will take thy spindle and thread, and we’ll 
laugh the Bishop to scorn.” 

So, quickly they changed their array, and Robin Hood 
walked through the forest, straight to his merry men, 
twirling his spindle as he went. And for all the world 
he looked so like an old woman that the Bishop’s men 
took no note of him. 

But when he came to the trysting-tree, he had nigh 
fallen into a new danger, for Little John looked up as 
he drew near, and seeing an old woman approaching he 
thought it was a witch. “Who comes yonder over the 
lea?” said he. “I will e’en let fly an arrow, so much 
does she look like a witch.” By this time, however. 



Ifllll 


Hp 



* 

y 





82 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Robin Hood bad got near enough to speak, and he cried 
out : “Hold thy hand. Shoot not thy keen arrows at thy 
master, for I am Robin Hood as thou shouldst well 
know, though I am clad in a widow’s weeds. Make ready, 
for there is a proud Bishop riding through the woods and 
we must have his money.” 

In the meanwhile the Bishop came riding boldly up to 
the old woman’s door, and demanded to know who was 
within ; and when she opened for him he was much as- 
tonished to find bold Robin Hood. You may be sure 
he was greatly rejoiced thereat, and he placed her on a 
milk-white steed beside him, and went laughing all the 
way to think that unawares he should have come upon 
Robin Hood, and should have made him his prisoner. 

Now as he was riding so gayly along, he chanced to 
espy a hundred bold bowmen who stood under a tree, 
and he said to the old woman, “Who may that be rang- 
ing within yonder wood ? ” 

“Marry,” said the old woman, “I think it be a man 
they call Robin Hood? ” 

“Robin Hood?” asked the Bishop in amaze. “Then 
who art thou, that I have here with me ? ” 

“Why, I am an old woman,” returned she; “didst 
thou think I was Robin Hood, because I have his bow 
and arrows? What a loon art thou ! ” 

“Woe is me!” said the Bishop then, “that ever I saw 
this day,” and he turned him about to ride away; but 
Robin Hood seized hold of the Bishop’s horse and tied 
him fast to a tree. Little John smiled to think how they 


ROBIN HOOD IS TAKEN BY THE SHERIFF 83 

had outwitted the Bishop ; and they spread a mantle upon 
the ground and told out all the money in the Bishop’s 
portmanteau, and it was a good five hundred pounds. 

“So now, let him go,” said Little John, but Bobin 
Hood said: “Nay, he shall sing me a mass before he 
goes ; ” thereupon they untied his hands and made him to 
sing a mass for them all before they would let him go. 
Glad was the Bishop to get off so easily for this time, 
and he vowed vengeance if ever he got Bobin Hood in his 
power; but Bobin Hood took good care never to come 
into his power, though it was not long before he was in 
great danger from another source and like to lose his 
head, as you shall hear. 


CHAPTEB XI 

ROBIN HOOD IS TAKEN BY THE SHERIFF 

As I have said, Bobin Hood was a devout man and a 
religious, and before Friar Tuck joined his company he 
had often gone to town to hear mass ; even after he came, 
Bobin Hood nearly always made shift to go on a saint’s 
day. 

On Whitsunday it was so lovely in the woods that his 
men tried to persuade him not to go. The bushes were 
shining in the sun with the dew still on them. It was 
late enough in the season that the leaves had grown large 
and long, and made a pleasant shade. As the sun rose 
higher the deer left the hillsides and came down to the 


84 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 



cool covert of the dales, and everywhere the birds were 
singing and twittering. 

All the men felt happy and contented to be out in the 
open country, not shut in the close town with narrow 


streets, and Little John, as he stretched his limbs after 
breakfast, remarked that it was a merry morning. “ A 
merrier man than I am,” said he, u lives not in Christen- 
dom. ” But Bobin sat apart more silent than usual, and 



ROBIN HOOD IS TAKEN BY THE SHERIFF 85 

Little John turned to him saying: “ Pluck up thy heart, 
dear master. Remember this is a beauteous day, a fine 
morning in May. ” 

“Yes,” answered Robin Hood, absently. “But one 
thing grieves me. I have not heard mass for fourteen 
days, — nor even matins. I am determined to go to Not- 
tingham, come what will. Mild Mary will protect me 
if I go in her service.” 

Then up spoke Midge the Miller’s son ; “ ’Tis not so 
long since you befriended Allen a-Dale ; and the priests 
owe you a grudge for that. You had better take twelve 
of your strong yeomen with you, and well armed, too. 
If you go alone, you may be killed, when none would 
dare attack twelve of us.” 

“By my faith,” said Robin Hood, “I’ll not show my- 
self such a coward. But if Little John will go with me 
I shall be well pleased. He shall bear my bow, in case 
I see anything I wish to draw at.” 

“Bear your own,” said Little John, “and I’ll bear 
mine, and we’ll shoot for pennies as we walk under the 
lindens. ” 

But Robin thought he was a better shot than Little 
John, and offered him three to one. So they set 
forth, these two yeomen, walking quickly through the 
broom with its yellow blossoms and its long slender 
stems. And ever as they went, they shot now at this 
mark, now at that ; but Robin had no luck that morning, 
and ere long Little John had won five shillings from him 
— five shillings for hose and shoes. 


86 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Then Little John made sport of Robin Hood, and 
laughed that he should outdo his master, whereat Robin 
said shortly, “Ray, thou hast not won it fairly,” and 
struck him with his hand, and Little John waxed wroth 
and pulled out his bright blade. “Wert thou not my 
master,” said he, “it should go sorely with thee. But 
go thy ways and get thee a servant where thou wilt. I 
am no longer man of thine,” and he strode off into the 
forest alone. 

So he returned to Sherwood, for he knew all the by- 
paths as well as the main road by which they had come 
and Robin was left to go sorrowfully to church. It 
grieved him to be left alone by his best man and his 
chosen friend, but still more he repented that he had 
been in so ill -humor, and he reflected that it had been 
better to remain in the wood with his men, who were all 
good-tempered and happy, and worshipping the Lord in 
their own way, than to go to church in so sullen a humor 
that he must needs quarrel before he arrived there. 

However, he was not a man to turn back from any en- 
terprise, and trusting himself to God and Our Lady to 
bring him safe out again, he entered the town and walked 
to St. Mary’s Church. There he knelt down before the 
altar and took no heed that a great monk with huge 
head stood close beside him. But the monk was full 
certain what man he was, and stealthily he crept out of 
the church and ran straight for the Sheriff. 

Row the Sheriff was enjoying the beautiful Whitsun 
morning in his own way, and he had not yet left his bed 



The Sheeiee Eouts Eobin Hoop’s Camp (Page 89) 



88 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


when the monk came pounding at his door. “Rise up, 
rise up, proud Sheriff,” cried he. “This is no time to 
be taking thine ease. Here is a King’s felon has come 
to town ; I have seen him with my own eyes. He is at 
mass at St. Mary’s. Command the gates of the town to 
be closed, that the fellow may not escape.” — “’Tis all 
along of thee,” muttered he to himself, “that he ever got 
away at all.” — “He is the traitor Robin Hood,” contin- 
ued he aloud, “that hides in the greenwood. He’s robbed 
me of many a hundred pounds and I shall never for- 
get it.” 

“ What say you ? Robin Hood ? ” cried the Sheriff as 
he started up and made him ready. “Here, you men,” 
shouted he from the window, “shut the gates of the 
town. ” And as he hastened out of the door he ordered 
twenty of his men to accompany him to the church. But 
there was no need to command his bowmen to go with him, 
for half the town and all the King’s foresters were at his 
heels so soon as they heard that Robin Hood was in town. 

The poor widows followed praying that he might not 
be caught, and the young men would have been glad to 
see him escape, for they knew he was a brave yeoman ; 
but the King’s foresters were but too glad to repay Robin 
Hood for the disgrace he had put upon them in killing 
the King’s deer, all in despite of them. Moreover, he 
had slain one of their own number, and they had never 
forgotten the grudge they owed him. So they thrust 
themselves in through the crowd and through the church 
doors, carrying great staves in their hands. 


LITTLE JOHN OVERTAKES THE MONK 89 

“Alas ! alas ! ” thought Robin Hood when he saw them 
coming, “now miss I Little John.” 

But this was no time to waste in vain regrets. He 
pulled out his two-handed sword and laid about him like 
a brave man as he was. Straight for the Sheriff and his 
men he made, and three times had he nearly cut his way 
through. Many a man he wounded and twelve he slew 
that day, but at last he broke his sword on the Sheriff’s 
head and cast it from him in a rage. “Evil be to the 
smith that made thee,” he cried. “Now am I weapon- 
less, and if I can not escape through this crowd of trai- 
tors I know they will kill me.” Back he ran into the 
church, but there he was met by another band of swords- 
men, and taken, and bound hand and foot. 

That was a sorry day for Robin Hood, and he began 
to think that the Blessed Virgin had deserted him, and 
that he must prepare for death, for he knew he could ex- 
pect no mercy from the Sheriff, whom he had so often 
flouted and deceived. But Our Lady had not turned 
from him, as you shall hear. 


CHAPTER XII 

LITTLE JOHN OVERTAKES THE MONK 

The Potter was among those who followed the Sheriff 
to the church, and would gladly have fought for Robin 
Hood ; but he was only one man against so many, and, 
moreover, he could turn a potter’s wheel better than he 


90 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


could wield a sword ; therefore he deemed he might best 
jump into his cart and carry the news to the greenwood, 
for perchance there might still be a rescue. 

He reached the trysting-tree just as the band were sit- 
ting down to dinner, and Little John, who had returned, 
was recounting how he had shot with Eobin Hood in the 
forest, and how he had had good luck and won five shil- 
lings, whereat Eobin Hood had burst into a fit of ill- 
humor and had struck Little John. “ And by the King’s 
lialidome,” added Little John, “I’ll ne’er be man of his 
again. ” But there was a quaver in his voice as he said 
it, for he knew in his heart that he loved his master, and 
that he should never be happy but at his side. 

Just then came the Potter, rattling up in his cart, and 
he hailed them and told them how Eobin had fought 
bravely but that his sword had broken on the Sheriff’s 
head, and how they that durst not come near him when 
he had his sword in hand, had surrounded him when he 
was weaponless, and how he had been bound and led away. 

Sad enough did they feel to hear the Potter’s words. 
“Beslirew my heart! ” said Midge. “If we had followed 
him instead of playing here we might have heard his 
horn when he blew it.” And they all began to lament 
that they also had not gone to church instead of care- 
lessly enjoying the birds and the sunlight and their own 
pleasure. 

Only Little John kept his wits about him. “ Shame 
on you,” he said. “For the love of Our Lady keep a 
braver heart and a better cheer. This is a pretty show- 


LITTLE JOHN OVERTAKES THE MONK 91 

in g for doughty bowmen. Pluck up heart, men. Eobin 
has been hard bestead ere this and has escaped. Leave 
your groaning and hearken to me. He has served Our 
Lady many a day and will live to fight yet, of a surety. 
She will not desert him in his need. I put my trust in 
her. She will not let him die an evil death. You have 
not heard all the man says. Perhaps there is some 
crumb of comfort, for he looks as though he had more 
on his mind. ” 

So they questioned the Potter further, and he told 
them that Eobin Hood was not to be hanged that day, 
nor yet the next week ; but that a monk — the very monk 
who betrayed him — was to bear messages to the King, 
and tell him how the famous outlaw was taken, and ask 
what it was his pleasure they should do with him. 

“Ha!” cried Little John, when he heard the story. 
“I shall serve that monk well. I will be his guide to 
the King. Wilt thou go with me, Midge? And, Scarlet, 
guard well the trysting-tree and spare not the venison 
that goes through this valley. We shall need enough for 
a feast when we come back ; for I promise you we will 
die if we fetch not our master back with us. ” 

So they went forth, those two, and threaded the forest 
till they came to the high road between Nottingham and 
London. Then they betook themselves in hiding to a 
house by the wayside that belonged to Midge’s uncle, and 
slept there that night, for they knew the monk would not 
start on his errand without due preparation nor without 
resting well before the long journey. 


92 


THE TALE OF **OBIN HOOD 


Early in the morning they rose np and stood looking 
out at window to see which should espy the monk first 
as he came down the road; but it was nigh ten o’clock 
ere they saw any sign of travel. Then Little J ohn de- 



scried a cloud of dust in the distance, and soon he per- 
ceived a man riding slowly along on an ambling palfrey 
with a little page running by his side. 

“By my faith,” he cried out to Midge, “here is gocd 
tidings. I see where the monk comes riding down yon- 


LITTLE JOHN OVERTAKES THE MONK 93 

der hill. I know him by his wide hood, and he has only 
a little page with him. Our task will be easy. ” 

With that they sallied forth from the house and made 
as though they were travelling along the road like civil 
and courteous gentlemen. Not far down the road they 
were overtaken by the monk, and having said good 
morning, they asked him the news, and whether there 
was any word of Eobin Hood. u We hear that the false 
outlaw, Eobin Hood, was taken yesterday,” said they. 
“Can you tell us ought of him? Is he hanged? He 
robbed us of twenty marks the other day. If that false 
thief gets his deserts we shall be well pleased. ” 

“So did he me,” replied the monk. “He robbed me 
of a hundred pounds and more. But I was the first that 
laid hands on him. Ye may thank me for that.” 

“I pray God to thank yon,” said Little John; “and 
we will show our gratitude when we may. By your leave 
we will go with you and bring you a stage on your jour- 
ney. Perchance your discourse will be pleasing to us 
and we may protect you ; for to tell you truly, Eobin 
Hood has many a wild fellow in his band, and in faith, 
if they knew you were riding this way they would slay 
you.” 

So they went, talking by the way, till they came to a 
solitary place behind the hill, when Little John sud- 
denly seized the monk’s palfrey by the head strap, and 
Midge laid hands upon the page. Then Little John 
pulled the monk down from his horse, and he came nigh 
choking him, he tugged so hard upon the neckband of 


94 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


his hood, and the monk fell heavily on the crown of his 
head. But Little John paid little heed to gentle han- 
dling. He was sorely angry, and drew out his sword in 
haste ere the monk could lift a finger. And when the 
monk saw he was to die he called loudly for mercy, but 
Little John was in no mood to show mercy. 

“ He was my master that you have brought so low,” 
said he. “You shall never go to the King to tell him 
your tale,” and straightway he smote off the monk’s 
head. So did Midge by the little page, for there must 
be no one to tell what had happened, lest the Sheriff get 
wind of it and make away with Robin before help could 
reach him. Then they buried both of them, monk and 
page, and it was in no consecrated earth that they laid 
them, nor in any soft moss or heather. Among the 
rough stones by the wayside they made them a grave, 
and they took the monk’s letters, and together they rode 
to London to carry them to the King. 


CHAPTER XIII 

LITTLE JOHN BRINGS BACK ROBIN HOOD 

When they came to London town, the long streets and 
the crooked houses bewildered them, but they found 
there a lodging where they could spend the night with 
a north countryman, who knew Nottingham well and 
was blithe to see some one who could tell him the news. 


LITTLE JOHN BRINGS BACK ROBIN HOOD 95 

The King, he said, was gone to Windsor, hut when their 
horses were fresh in the morning they could easily ride 
thither in a day and deliver their letters to the King. 
And he was most curious to know what they had come 
about ; but they kept their counsel, and only told him 
that they had messages from the Sheriff. Robin Hood, 
the famous outlaw, they said, had been taken alive, and 
the Sheriff would fain know the King’s pleasure concern- 
ing him. Whereat their host was much amazed, and 
said he had often heard of Robin Hood, and he did not 
think he would ever have been taken. “For he is a 
clever man,” said he, “and full of tricks and wiles.” 

The next day they rode out to Windsor, and they gazed 
with awe upon the stately towers and the pleasure gar- 
den, but they had no time to see all the sights, for as 
they bore letters to the King from the Sheriff of Notting- 
ham, sealed with the Sheriff’s own seal, they were 
straightway admitted. And Little John doffed his cap 
before the King and kneeled down upon one knee. 
“God save thee, my liege lord,” he said. “May the 
Lord guard and keep thee,” and he gave the letters into 
his hand. 

Then the King opened the letter and read it, and 
greatly rejoiced thereat, and he said: “As I hope to 
prosper, there is never yeoman in all England that I so 
long to see as this same Robin Hood. He is a brave 
man and a bold, though he be an outlaw. But where is 
the monk who should bring this message? ” 

“By my troth, your grace,” answered Little John, “he 


96 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


died on tlie way, and did entrust these letters to ns, who 
were with him, and he begged ns to deliver them to you. ” 

“Thou hast done right well,” said the King, and he 
gave them twenty pounds apiece, and made them yeomen 
of the crown. Then he gave Little John his signet ring, 
and bade him carry it to the Sheriff with commands to 
fetch Kobin Hood and bring him to London, and to see 
that no harm befell him. 

And Little John and Midge took their leave of the 
King, and tarried not long enough to return to London, 
but took the nearest way to Nottingham, and they re- 
joiced in their hearts, for now they thought their master 
was safe. 

But when they came to Nottingham, the gates were 
each one barred and they could no way enter. So Little 
John called to the warden and demanded to know why 
the gates were fast shut when it was still daylight. And 
the warden scarce dared to show his face above the wall, 
but he answered that they were shut by the Sheriff’s 
command. “Bobin Hood,” he explained, “is cast deep 
in prison and all his band are trying to rescue him, but 
we are keeping him to know the King’s pleasure. John 
and Midge and Will Scarlet have made a great to-do 
about the town, and have killed every man on the walls, 
and therefore do we close the gates. I dare be sworn 
they are seeking to kill us all.” So great was his fright 
that he would hardly admit Little John and Midge, though 
they bore the King’s seal. 

Little John inquired for the Sheriff and presented him 


LITTLE JOHN BRINGS BACK ROBIN HOOD 97 

the King’s letter. And when the Sheriff had read it he 
took off his hood in token of respect to Little John, for 
he read how Little John and Midge had been made yeo- 
men of the King’s guard; and he asked, “ Where is the 
monk who bore my letter to the King ? ” 

“His grace is so pleased with him,” they answered, 
“that he hath made him Abbot of Westminster, and will 
keep him always near him. ” 

Then the Sheriff gave them good cheer and feasted 
them right royally, for on the morrow they were to start 
back again with a large escort to deliver Kobin Hood to 
the King. His best wine was broached for the nonce, 
for he thought it would be well to honor two such favor- 
ites of the King, and he wished he were going on the 
journey too. “ Perad venture, ” he said to himself, “the 
King might reward me as he has the monk and these 
two strangers.” 

If the truth must be told, he drank a good deal him- 
self, and when they had all gone to bed and had fallen 
asleep, Little John and Midge knew by his snoring that 
he was not likely to waken that night ; so they slipped 
out at the great door and hied them to the jail, where 
they had much ado to rouse the jailer himself ; for he, 
too, had been drinking his pot of ale and had fallen into 
a deep slumber. 

However, Little John startled him broad awake with 
the cry that Robin Hood had broken prison and was 
fled. When the porter heard that, he came stumbling 
to the great iron gate and began to turn the key in the 


98 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


lock. Little John stood in the shadow with his sword 
drawn, and the gate had no sooner swung open on its 
hinges than he had felled the porter to the ground, so 
that he never spoke again. 

“Now will I be porter,” said Little John, and he took 
the keys from the jailer’s belt and found his way to 
Eobin Hood’s cell. Soon they had loosened his fetters 
and given him a trusty sword, and then without stop- 
ping to go around by the gate they leaped over the wall 
where it was lowest and fled into the forest. 

But now the cock was roused by the unwonted noise 
and he began to crow so loud that he woke the town ; and 
day beginning to break, the Sheriff came to his senses and 
bethought himself that he had done wrong to fall into so 
heavy a sleep. Then he heard the cock crowing and 
flapping his wings, and he went forth to see what was 
the matter. At the dungeon he found the porter dead 
and Robin Hood gone, and he commanded the great town 
bell to be rung as an alarm to the people. Then he gave 
orders to the crier to cry it through the town that any 
man who could bring Eobin Hood back to him, be he 
knave or yeoman, he should have a reward. “For,” 
thought the Sheriff to himself, “I dare never appear be- 
fore the King if I find not Eobin Hood. He would 
hang me in chains.” So the Sheriff had the whole town 
searched, by street and lane, but Eobin was safe in 
Sherwood as merry as the leaf on the twig. 

All this time Little John had not quite forgiven Eobin 
Hood for his blow, though he had been at such pains to 


LITTLE JOHN BRINGS BACK ROBIN HOOD 99 

save liis life, and he spoke thus to Eobin Hood: “I have 
done thee a good turn for an evil one. Eeqnite it when 
thou may. I have brought thee back under the green- 
wood tree, and so farewell and good day to you.” 

“Nay, by good troth,” said Eobin Hood in amazement 
and no little ashamed of his ill-humor. “Thou shalt 
never part so. I will make thee master of all my men 
and me. Thou art fitter than I.” 

Then was Little John also struck with shame that he 
should have borne a grudge so long ; and he answered : 
“Nay, in good sooth, not so. I will never be thy mas- 
ter, but let me be thy fellow, and I care for naught else.” 

So peace was made and there was great rejoicing, and 
when Eobin Hood’s men saw for certain that he was out 
of prison, and whole and sound, there was great feasting 
and drinking of good red wine, and the pasties of veni- 
son they ate would make your mouth water. 

In the mean time the King sat in London expecting 
Eobin Hood, and when word was brought him how Eobin 
Hood was gone and how the Sheriff durst never come 
before him, he was full angry, and he cried out: “Lit- 
tle John has beguiled the Sheriff, and, in faith, so has 
he me. He has beguiled us both, I see well. Were it 
not for that, the Sheriff should be hanged. Why! I 
made them yeomen of the crown, and gave them safe con- 
duct through all England, and when I pledged my word 
I can not take it back. - Forsooth there are not three 
such yeomen in England as he is ; he is true to his mas- 
ter ; I say, by St. John, but he loves his master better 


100 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


than he does me ; Eobin Hood is much bound to him. 
I would fain have so true servants myself.” 

And he was filled with desire to see what manner of 
man this Eobin Hood was, who could win the love and 
service of such men as Little John. And he said to him- 
self, “The next time I go to Nottingham I will see if I 
may win the friendship of Eobin Hood ; ” and so he did, 
as you shall hear, though he went down there in hot 
anger and haste. 


CHAPTEE XIV 

ROBIN HOOD SLAYS GUY OF GISBORNE AND ROUTS 
THE SHERIFF 

You may well suppose that this disgrace of the Sheriff 
did not put him in good humor with Eobin Hood, and 
lie determined to harry the forest about Nottingham till 
lie had either caught Eobin Hood or driven him cpiite 
away ; and, to tell the truth, if Eobin Hood had fallen 
into his hands he would straightway have been hanged. 

The Sheriff thought night and day to consider how he 
might compass his ends, and the better to effect his pur- 
pose he leagued himself with a Yorkshire man, named 
Guy of Gisborne, an evil fellow and a shrewd. 

He was the more eager, because he knew in his heart 
that it was his own fault when Eobin Hood escaped him, 
sind the thought of how he had been tricked by Little 
John made him sour within himself; and well I know it 


SLAY'S GUY OF GISBORNE; ROUTS THE SHERIFF 101 

would have gone hard with any of the band if they had 
fallen into his power. 

He raised a great force of foresters and kept them 
ever on the watch scouring the forest of Sherwood, and 
Eobin Hood found it convenient to go to his other haunt 
of Barnsdale, which was fifty miles away and out of the 
circuit of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Moreover, the 
deer were more plenty there at that season of the year, 
and Eobin had his own chapel there where he could have 
mass sung every day, and could worship without travel- 
ling to town. But he knew not how wily the Sheriff 
had become, nor how he had leagued himself with Guy 
of Gisborne, the Yorkshire man, who had done many a 
cursed turn to Eobin Hood and his men. 

One morning he was wakened by the woodwale sing- 
ing a mournful note, and he recalled a dream of bad 
omen that he had dreamed in the night. He had dreamed; 
that two strong yeomen had beaten him and bound him 
and taken his bow from him. “ Whoever they be,” said 
Eobin, “Eli be even with them,” but he knew not that 
on that very day the Sheriff and his partner were plot- 
ting to raid his stronghold at Barnsdale. 

“ Dreams are strange things,” said Little John, “but 
they are soon over. Though it blow ne’er so loud to- 
night, to-morrow it may be still.” But Eobin Hood was 
not satisfied with this philosophy. “ Make you ready, 
my merry men all,” he said, “and Little John and I will 
walk forth to see what we may discover. ” 

They had not walked far ere they espied a strange 


102 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


creature standing with his back against a tree. He 
seemed to be a man. Indeed they were sure of it, for 
he wore a sword and dagger by his side, and if they had. 
known it, the sword had been the bane of many a true 
yeoman. But he was a man of strange humors, and he 
had clad himself this morning in the skin of a horse. 
The tail ’was hanging down his back and trailing on the 
ground, and the head towered over his own cap, while the 
mane floated out behind. 

Truly, it was no wonder that they were amazed, and 
Little John, who was ever too ready to take the lead, 
bade his master stand still, under a trusty tree, while he 
went forward to encounter the stranger, and ask him 
what this uncouth fashion of dress might mean. 

Now if Bobin had a fault it was that he was hasty of 
tongue, and he thought it did not become the follower 
to be more venturesome than the master ; so he spoke up 
quickly: “John,” said he, “thou seemest to set little 
store by me, and that’s a strange thing. How often do 
I send my men before, and tarry myself behind? It 
takes little skill to know a knave if one but hear him 
speak. If it were not for breaking my bow, John, I’d 
crack it over thy head. ” 

It was not so long since Little John had rescued Bobin 
Hood from the sheriff, and had taken the long journey 
to London for his sake, and Bobin might have spared 
his tongue ; but ’tis often that a slight word breeds bale, 
and these words parted Bobin and John a second time. 
John could be hot-tempered, too, though he was not so 


SLAYS GUY OF GISBORNE; ROUTS THE SHERIFF 103 

ready with his tongue, and he swung round on his heel, 
and started off for Barnsdale without a word. 

Bobin Hood was too proud to call after him. “ We’ll 
make it up to-night,” thought he, forgetting that in the 
mean time he might have need of succor; for if his 
dream meant anything it betokened that he was to en- 
counter danger that day from two strong men. But as 
it turned out, it was not he who needed aid before the 
sun went down ; it was Little John who fell into trouble, 
and Bobin was able to atone for his anger by saving 
Little John’s life. 

For when Little John reached Barnsdale, he found the 
camp in distress. The Sheriff had marched away from 
Nottingham with nine score men, and had come upon 
Barnsdale just after Bobin Hood had quitted it. There 
he had so surprised the band, and had so many men with 
him, that he had routed the whole company. One man 
was already slain, and Scarlet was fleeing for his life 
over stock and stone, pursued by the Sheriff and all his 
men. 

When Little John beheld the havoc the Sheriff had 
made, and saw him skipping along so fast in pursuit of 
Will Scarlet, he thought now was his chance to make an 
end of the miserable Sheriff and of all their troubles. 
“One arrow I’ll shoot,” said he, “with might and main, 
and I’ll bring down yon fine fellow who flies so fast.” 
And he bent his bow almost double with intent to make 
the arrow fly the faster and the surer to the Sheriff’s 
heart. 


104 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


But as ill luck would have it, he had not taken his 
proper how that morning, and this bow was made of 
tender wood. The very fact that he could pull it nearly 
double showed that it 
was not strong, but 
he had no time to 
think of that with the 
Sheriff fleeing ever 
farther away. So the 
arrow flew, but not 
true to its mark, and 
instead of piercing 
the Sheriff’s body, it 
struck William a 
Trent, a good man 
whom Little John 
would gladly have 
spared. 

“Woe worth thee, 
wicked wood, ” said 
Little John, “that 
thou ever grew on 
tree. For this day 

when thou shouldst have been my boot, thou art my 
bale.” And his hands hung limp at his sides in disgust 
and despair. 

For now the Sheriff and his men had turned back, and 
as the proverb says, “When men be met, six can do 
more than three ; ” so they took Little John and bound 





Robin Hood Kills Guy of Gisbourne (Page 110 ) 



106 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


him fast, and when the Sheriff saw whom he had got into 
his power he mocked him, and said: “Thou shalt be 
dragged through dale and over down, and hanged on the 
first hill. ” 

But Little John would not be cast down, and he re- 
plied, “But thou mayest fail of thy boast, if such be 
Christ’s will, ” and he looked on calmly, while the Sheriff’s 
men ate of the hearty meal which Robin Hood’s men had 
been preparing. How if they had not stayed to eat and 
drink they might have got away with their booty, and 
it had been the worse for Little John, but while they 
feasted and made merry at others’ expense, destruction 
was preparing for them. 

In the meanwhile Robin Hood was trying his luck with 
the stranger. “ Good morning, ” quoth the man as Robin 
drew near. “Good morrow,” answered Robin Hood 
courteously; “methinks thou must be a good archer by 
the bow thou bearest in thy hand. ’Tis a stout one and 
well made. Art thou acquainted with this forest. I’ll 
be thy guide if so please thee.” 

“I seek an outlaw,” said the man. “He is called 
Robin Hood. I had rather meet him this day than forty 
pounds of gold.” 

“If you two should meet,” replied Robin Hood, “it 
would be seen, before you parted, which one were the 
better marksman. But let us try a match ourselves. 
Then as we walk through the wood we may chance to 
meet Robin Hood. ” 

So they cut some straight wands that grew among the 


SLAYS GUY OF GISBORNE; ROUTS THE SHERIFF 107 

bushes, and stripped off the leaves and the bark up to 
the top. Then they left a little tuft of leaves and in the 
middle of this tuft they stuck a small straight white stick 
into the wand, to serve as the centre of the target. Then 
they stood off three score rods to shoot. Now three hun- 
dred and thirty yards is a long distance to shoot a tiny 
prick wand, no broader across than your thumb nail, but 
Robin had done better than that ere now, and the stranger 
was not to be behind him. 

“Lead on, good fellow,” said the stranger. “Lead on, 
I bid thee.” 

“Nay,” quoth Robin Hood. “By my faith, thou shall 
be the leader. It is thy right.” 

So they both shot in turn, and Robin Hood’s arrow 
pierced the tuft of leaves, but an inch from the prick, 
and it tore away the leaves so that a hole was made in 
the green ; and farther on they could see the arrow stick- 
ing in a tree and pinning down a leaf that it had carried 
away in its flight. But the stranger’s arrow flew not near 
so close to the mark, though he was no mean champion 
at the butts. 

Then they shot again and the stranger pierced the 
tuft of leaves, as Robin had done before; but Robin 
Hood split the little prick wand clean in two and his 
arrow stuck where the prick had been. 

“God’s blessing on thy heart,” said the man. “Good 
fellow, thy shooting is well done. If thy heart is as 
good as thy hand, thou art better than Robin Hood. 
Tell me thy name, I prithee. ” 


103 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“.Kay,” answered Eobin Hood, “but tell me first thine ; 
then will I follow thee.” 

“I dwell not in the town,” said the man, “but dale 
and down are my resting-place, and many an evil turn 
have I done to Eobin Hood and his men, as they would 
tell you right truly. Now I hunt for him up and down 
this wood, for the Sheriff of Nottingham has brought a 
good nine score men down here to find the varlets at 
Barnsdale. He is attacking them at their lodge ere this, 
if he have not already scattered them, and I search the 
wood lest Eobin Hood or any of his men should escape. 
Wilt thou join me in the hunt? They who call me 
rightly do name me Guy of Gisborne.” 

“So,” thought Eobin Hood to himself, “this is the 
yeoman that should bind me, according to my dream, 
and yonder at Barnsdale is the other. I must make haste 
and finish this miscreant, and be back to my merry men, 
for they will sorely need my arm to help them. ” 

Then he laughed in the face of Guy and shouted, “I 
am that Eobin Hood whom thou seekest ; ” and with that 
he pulled out his bright blade, and Guy, casting aside the 
horse’s skin that encumbered him, snatched his sword 
from the scabbard, and they fell to fighting without more 
words. ’Twas a brave sight to see how those two yeo- 
men fought, and how their blades flashed to and fro in 
the sunlight. But a kinsman of either would have 
trembled, for they fought with the fury of two wild boars, 
and it was plain that no quarter would be given, but 
that one must die. 










110 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


For two long hours they fought and neither would 
yield a step, and no one could have told which way the 
battle would turn. Then by chance in his eagerness, 
Robin Hood minded not the root of a tree that stood out 
of the ground, and he caught his foot in it and stumbled. 
And Guy saw his advantage, and was nimble and quick 
with his blow, and caught him on the left side. 

Then had it gone hard with Robin Hood, but he made 
a prayer to the Blessed Virgin, and bethought himself 
that it is never a man’s destiny to die before his day ; 
and his courage came back tenfold. So he leapt up 
again when his enemy least expected it and gave him an 
awkward stroke from beneath, that took him by surprise ; 
and he had not time to recover from the shock ere Robin 
was upon him and had given him a stroke that pierced 
his heart. So he fell to the ground and died with hardly 
a groan, and Robin Hood cut off his head. 

“Thou wast ever a traitor, ” said Robin Hood ; “and 
now thou hast thy deserts, but as thou hast had the 
worse luck with me, I will give thee the better cloak for 
burial.” Then he took off his own green cloak and 
spread it over the body as if it had been himself. And 
he himself put on the horse’s hide that covered him from 
top to toe, and disguised him wholly. The head stood 
out over his cap as it had on Guy, and the tail dragged 
down his back to the ground. Then he took the bow 
and arrows and the little horn that were Guy’s, and thus 
in disguise he thought to himself that if the Sheriff were 
in truth at Barnsdale, he should not be recognized till 


SLAYS GUY OF GISBORNE; ROUTS THE SHERIFF 111 

he got close upon him, and so he should have a chance 
to strike down the Sheriff and rescue his men. 

No sooner said than done. He put the horn to his 
mouth and blew a blast which the Sheriff heard as he 
rested under a hillock after his dinner. 

“Hark!” said the Sheriff . “There is good tidings. 
We have destroyed the rest of the villains and there is 
Guy’s horn which betokens that he has slain Robin Hood 
himself. ’Tisagood day’s work we have done to-day. — 
And here comes the brave yeoman, clad in his horse’s 
skin,” he continued as he saw Robin Hood approaching 
through the forest. “Come hither, good Guy. Thou 
hast done bravely. I did never think thou shouldst 
have overcome Robin Hood. Here have we taken Little 
John, his fellow, who has served me many an ill-turn. I 
promise you he shall suffer for it. We will hang him 
on the next hill. But what wouldst thou in payment of 
thy deed? Ask what thou wilt, thou shalt have it, for 
if Robin Hood were still alive, there would be small use 
in killing Little John or any of his crew. He would 
still be at his devil’s tricks and we should have our work 
to do again.” 

“Thank you kindly,” said Robin Hood, “for your 
good word and your promise, but I’ll none of your gold. 
’Tis meat and drink to me to have killed the bold outlaw, 
and the only boon I beg of you is this, — as I have slain 
the master let me but serve the knave after the same 
fashion. Hang him not on the next hill, but let me 
finish him here. I can sc n vet believe that Robin 


112 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Hood is dead, though he lies yonder in the wood, covered 
with his own green cloak. But even though he wakes 
no more, his men may rally, and it behoves us to put an 
end as speedily as we may to any that are in our power. ” 

“ Thou ’rt a mad man, ” said the Sheriff, half angry that 
he should not have the chance to hang Little John 
with his own hand. He foresaw that if Guy killed both 
master and knave, it would give him chance to boast in 
the future, and that he himself would gain small credit 
for the affair. For fame always gives the praise to those 
who finish a work, though their betters may have planned 
it and brought it to a fair ending. 

However, he had given his word, and must keep to it. 
So he said in ill-humor, “Thou should’st have had a 
knight’s fee for thy deed, but since thou knowest no bet- 
ter how to take advantage of thy fortune, go, have thy 
will of this proud fellow ; ” and he turned on his heel to 
give commands to his men for removing the arms and 
the fine bows and arrows which they found in the camp ; 
for he was unwilling to let any think that he cared 
whether Little John were dead or alive, or how he came 
to his end. 

But Little John had been listening in some anxiety, as 
you may imagine, all this while, and with the first words 
that Bobin spoke he knew his master’s voice. “Now 
shall I be set free,” thought he to himself, “and never 
again will I separate myself from my dear master, 
though he anger me never so much.” 

And Bobin, when he had the Sheriff’s permission, hied 


SLAYS GUY OF GISBORNE; ROUTS THE SHERIFF 113 

him to Little John and began to untie his bands. But 
the Sheriff, in spite of himself, could not contain his 
curiosity, and his company, too, were looking to know 
whether Guy would cut Little John down where he 
stood, without the chance to stir a finger in his own 
behalf, or if he would give him a little chance, as a 
cat does to a mouse, and let him think he might escape, 
only to pounce upon him more cruelly when he stirred. 

“ Stand back, stand back!” said Bobin Hood, when 
he saw them draw near. “It was never the usage in this 
country that one man should overhear another man’s 
shrift. Little John is mine to despatch as I will ; ” and 
with that he pulled out his Irish knife, and quickly cut 
the cords which bound Little John. Then he gave him 
Guy’s bow and his arrows; and the Sheriff, to his con- 
sternation, saw Little John draw a bow which did not 
yield in his hand as the first had done. The poor Sheriff 
was tricked again, and there was nothing for it but to 
turn and flee as fast as he could go. Fast toward Not- 
tingham he fled, though that was fifty miles away, and 
his company one and all took to their heels. 

Bnt they could not run so fast that Bobin Hood and 
Little John could not shoot them as they fled. Of the 
nine score men that were so brave and fine on Tuesday 
morning, but three and thirty reached the town on 
Thursday, and the Sheriff still bore the arrow fastened 
in his neck that Little John had shot at him when he ran 
away. He had not stopped to draw it out so great had 
been his fright and haste. 


114 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


So the Sheriff had now another score against Robin 
Hood, and he swore that if he ever saw him again he 
would hang him on the next tree. 

But ’tis an ill wind that blows no one good; the 
Sheriff’s visit and all the danger made Robin Hood and 
Little John firmer friends than ever. Little John vowed 
in his heart that Robin Hood might overbear him as he 
pleased ; he would never leave him in the lurch again. 
And Robin Hood was so fain of this chance to repay 
Little John the saving of his life that he had a special 
mass sung by Friar Tuck in his own chapel at Barns- 
dale, and made a promise to himself that he would hold 
his tongue in future and never anger so trusty a friend 
as his good Little John. 


CHAPTER XV 
LITTLE JOHN GOES A-BEGGING 

All these bouts with the Sheriff and his men had 
sadly wasted Robin Hood’s treasure. His men were 
wounded ; their beautiful green cloaks were soiled and 
torn, and the feathers in their caps had been shot away 
or drooped low and limp over their ears. Moreover, the 
Sheriff had drunk a good part of their ale and wine, and 
altogether their larder needed replenishing. Though 
they were as gay as crickets when the fine weather came, 
and they had plenty to eat and drink and gay clothes to 
wear, yet one cannot live solely on venison and game. 


LITTLE JOHN GOES A-BEGGING 


115 


which was all they could find in the forest. And though 
deer skins are very fine and warm for rugs and sleeping 
covers, yet one needs more than deer skins to wear. 
They must have good Holland for shirts and fine cloth 
for their small-clothes and doublets, and to get all these 
things they must have gold and silver. 

So Eobin Hood held a council with Little John and 
Will Scarlet, but they could hear of no rich bishop or 
surly knight who was travelling through the forest, and 
they might not hope to fill their coffers with such booty. 
At last Little John hit upon a plan. “I will turn beg- 
gar for the nonce, ” said he. “Who knows but I may 
have a lucky chance, and beggars, they say, are always 
rich. ” 

“A happy thought,” said Eobin Hood. “Get thee 
gone about it straight, and bring me a hundred pounds.” 
So Little John put on a palmer’s weed and coat, and cut 
him a long staff to prop his steps. “And now,” he said, 
“I must have bags of all sorts as the beggars do; ” and 
the thought pleased him so mightily that he burst out 
laughing at himself and began to sing : 

“ Come give me a bag for my bread, 

An d another for my cheese, 

And one for a penny when as I get any, 

That nothing I may lese. 

“Lose, I mean,” explained he, interrupting himself; 
“but what is one to do for a rhyme when it won’t 
come? ” and he went dancing about in his long palmer’s 


116 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


weed, flourishing the staff that was to stay his feeble 
footsteps. 

Then he took leave of them all and walked away; 
and as soon as he came to the highroad, he began to trail 
slowly along as if he were old and feeble, till by and by 



lie chanced to see four beggars. One was blind and one 
was dumb, and one was so crippled that he could scarce 
drag himself along. 

“Ha! ” thought Little John to himself, “here’s brave 
company ! How much have they in their bags, I won- 
der? It seems to me I hear the jingle of coins. If I 


LITTLE JOHN GOES A-BEGGING H7 

can get their treasure, I shall he saved the trouble of 
begging myself.” And he accosted them humbly. 

“Good morrow, dear brethren. Good fortune it is to 
me to see you. Which way are you going, for I pro- 
fess I want some company.” 

They eyed him askance, for he gave them not the pass- 
word that all beggars know. Moreover, he called them 
dear brethren, when it was plain to any beggar that the 
cripple was a true Abraham man, and as such entitled to 
the respect and special reverence of all the guild of beg- 
gars. 

But all unaware of his mistake, he joined himself to 
them and made as though he felt himself at home among 
them. “What bells are those?” said he, as the faint 
sound of a village bell tolled in their ears. “What dog 
is a-hangiug now?” and in his eagerness and curiosity 
he straightened himself up and walked more briskly. 

“There’s no dog a-hanging,” growled one of the band. 
“Good fellow, we’ve had enough of thy company,” and 
he looked as if to threaten him. 

“We have brethren in London,” said another, “and 
brethren in Coventry and in Barwick and Dover, and all 
the world over, but ne’er one of them is such a cankered 
carle as thou art.” With that he bade him stand back, 
and gave him a crack on his crown that his skull re- 
sounded with the blow. 

“Is that your courtesy to a stranger?” cried Little 
John. “Nay, then, I’ll not begone, for I’ll have a bout 
with you all round,” and he laid about him with his staff 








LITTLE JOHN GOES A-BEGGING 


119 


so lustily that in a trice they had all scattered. The 
dumb man found his voice and went howling into the 
bushes by the side of the road, leaving his bag behind 
him. The cripple suddenly reared up, a great strapping 
clown six feet tall, but he used his legs and his strength 
to run away ; and the blind man that had been led by 
the fourth beggar opened his eyes in a twinkling when 
he felt the blows rain down upon his shoulders ; and he 
and his man took to their heels as fast as they could 
scurry away. In his haste he flung off his great cloak, 
and it lay on the ground, where Little John was for toss- 
ing it aside with his foot, when he stooped to pick up 
the dumb man’s bag. But it seemed heavy for a gar- 
ment so ragged and torn, and he opened it to see what 
might be the cause of so great heaviness. 

It was full of pockets on the inside, and weighted with 
gold and silver coins. From one pocket Little John took 
a hundred golden guineas, and from another as many 
ten-shilling pieces. In one there was silver so heavy 
that Little John thought he should be a strong man who 
should be willing to carry so many pounds dragging at 
his heels. When he had emptied out all the pockets, 
and counted up the store, he found he had three hun- 
dred pounds. u Three hundred pounds ! ” shouted he in 
glee; “ here’s a small trifle for a novice in the noble art 
of begging. Long live beggars, say I,” and he was 
ready to toss his cap for joy, when his eye fell on the 
bag that the dumb man had dropped when he jumped 
into the hedge. 


120 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“What, more ! ” quoth he, and he tumbled all the coins 
out into the cloak. His eye sparkled when he saw 
how many there were. “Three hundred and three 
pounds, ” he said at last as he counted the last coin ; and 
by that time his thumb and fingers were quite numb 
with handling so many pieces, and his eyes were weary 
with the glitter. 

“ By my faith ! ” he declared as he crammed them all 
back into the bag. “Six hundred and three pounds in 
one short hour. Beshrew me if I drink water while this 
lasts. If I kept at it for a week I could buy the three 
best churches in England. But 1 7 11 give over begging 
for this gere. My luck might turn ; he’s a wise man 
who knows when he’s at the top of fortune’s wheel ; and 
I’ll hie me back to merry Sherwood. ” 

But it was not so easy to hie him back. The gold and 
silver were so heavy that he must needs go slowly, and 
he almost staggered by the time he reached the trysting- 
tree where Bobin Hood and his men were gathered for 
their dinner. 

“What news? What news?” shouted Bobin Hood 
from a distance, and he was half afraid that Little John 
had been wounded, he came so slowly and carefully. 
“How hast thou sped with thy beggar’s trade? I fain 
would see thy 4 bag for the penny if thou hast got any. ’ ” 
He laughed as he said this, for he did not believe that 
Little John would have prospered at his begging. For 
one thing, he was so tall and strong that no one would give 
him anything for a beggar, in spite of his palmer’s weed. 


THE RESCUE OF WILL STUTELY 121 

“No news but good,” returned Little John, as soon as 
he came near enough to speak. “If any doth offer to 
beat me at begging, let him try his hand. Here are 
six hundred and three pounds for thee and thy men. Is 
not that good work for one short hour ? ” 

“What sayst thou?” said Eobin in amaze. “Thou 
hast not got that by begging. What rich monk hast 
thou robbed ? ” 

“ By my faith, no monk has crossed my path. I have 
it from the crippled and the blind,” said Little John. 
“And good sturdy beggars they were, too. If they had 
not been arrant cowards I might have had some hard 
knocks, for the cripple was six feet tall as he ran away, 
and he was well made, and the dumb man ne’er could 
have carried his burden of gold and silver had his mus- 
cles not been of iron. I am. weary myself with thinking 
on it. Give me a cup of wine to lend me strength, for I 
am as thirsty as the parching soil in March. ” 

And when he had refreshed himself, he told all the 
story of his adventure, and they capered and danced 
about the oak for very joy and light-heartedness, and 
they swore they would drink no water while they could 
get ale and wine. 

CHAPTEE XYI 

THE RESCUE OF WILL STUTELY 

Now some one must go to town to buy the ale and 
wine, and get stuff for their new cloaks, for money by 
itself will not bring good things to eat and drink, nor 


122 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


clothes to wear. They must risk something to get what 
they wanted. 

When all is said, it was not so great a risk either, for 
the shopkeepers were only too glad to sell their wares, 
and many of them had a friendly feeling for the outlaws. 
Indeed, there were relatives among them, and messages 
of greeting or small presents were often interchanged 
between the townsfolk and the men in the greenwood. 
Midge, the Miller’s son, always spent the night with his 
father when he went to the mill for corn, though that 
was a great secret of course, and Allen a-Dale must 
needs sometimes make excursions to Barnsdale village. 

Still, there was always the Sheriff; and the King’s 
foresters, too, had no good will toward any of the band, 
so that it was only the daring ones who would venture. 

This time it was W r ill Stutely who offered to go, and 
the Potter, who was fast friends with Eobin Hood ever 
since he brought back so good payment for his pots, and 
who happened to be driving through the forest that day, 
promised to bring back a cask of wine and a bale of 
cloth in the evening. 

But as ill luck would have it, one of the foresters who 
had been at Barnsdale in the fight espied Will and the 
Potter as they drove into town, and he apprised the 
sheriff of it. And the Sheriff kept a watch over him 
all day, and at night when he was walking out of the 
North Gate, thinking to pay a visit to his sweetheart be- 
fore he went back to the woods, three miscreants of the 
King’s foresters sprang out from a doorway and bound 





Little John A-Begging (Page 119) 



124 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


him hand and foot before he knew what was happening. 
Then they bore him to the Sheriff’s castle outside the 
town, three miles away, and on the other side from 
Robin’s haunts; for they well knew that Robin Hoed 
would be seeking him ere long and would visit the town 
in search of him, and they feared a rescue. 

Row Robin Hood thought no harm when Will Stutely 
did not return that night, for he knew he might linger, 
but when next day he did not appear, he began to send 
out scouts, to learn if possible what had happened to 
him. They heard how he had been surprised, and how 
he had been taken to the Sheriff’s castle without the 
walls, three miles beyond the town on the other side, 
and how he was to be hanged that very day. 

“By Our Lady and all the saints,” cried he when he 
heard the ill tidings, “ Will Stutely shall be rescued this 
day, or many a gallant knight shall be slain for his 
sake ! ” So saying he caught up his bow and arrows and 
commanded his men to follow him, and started off on a 
run, for he feared to be too late. 

’Twas a gallant sight to see them all come leaping 
through the woods, with their green jackets and short 
hose, with their good broadswords at their sides, and 
each a stout yew bow in his hand. And it would have 
done Will Stutely’s heart good to see them; but he was 
deep in prison with his hands tightly bound behind his. 
back, thinking to die a felon’s death. 

As Robin Hood neared the borders of the forest and 
could see the castle where Will Stutely lay, he stopped 


THE RESCUE OF WILL STUTELY 125 

and gathered his men together, and bade them lie in 
ambush till he could learn what was happening. . By good 
chance just then he spied a palmer standing near the cas- 
tle gate; and he said: “ Perchance yonder fellow can tell 
us what we want to know. The gallows-tree is standing. 
God grant we 'be not too late. Which one of you bold 
fellows will venture forth and question him ? ” 

“I, sir,” said Midge. “Let me go.” And he darted 
off ere Bobin Hood could say him nay. 

“Perhaps it is best so,” said Bobin Hood to himself. 
“He is small and light, and can run like the wind if 
need be, though I did think of Little John or W r ill Scar- 
let, who are longer of limb and can also walk apace.” 
So he watched the stripling as he approached the castle. 

When Midge reached the palmer he made him a fair 
reverence, and asked him courteously if he knew aught 
of Will Stutely who was one of Bobin Hood’s men, and, 
as he heard, lay a prisoner within the castle. 

“Alack!” said the palmer. “He was my brother’s 
own son, and he must be hanged to-day. There stands 
the gallows-tree, already set up, and ’twill not be long 
ere they lead him forth. ” And he would have proceeded 
with his moan, but Midge assured him that if Will 
Stutely died, his death would be dearly avenged, and he 
made his way quickly back into the forest. 

No sooner was he gone out of sight than the gate 
swung open wide. There was a flourish of trumpets, 
and the Sheriff, preceded by his pursuivants, marched 
out of the castle followed by a band of foresters guard- 


126 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


ing Will Stutely. The hangman with his lean yellow 
face came last of all. 


When they came near the gallows-tree, Will looked 
up at it with a shudder ; then he asked that he might 



have his hands unbound, and might be allowed his sword 
at his side. “My noble master,” said he, “never had 
yet a man that was hanged on a tree. I fear not to die. 



THE RESCUE OF WILL STUTELY 127 

but let me die fighting with my good sword, and set 
against me as many as you wish. ” 

But the Sheriff mocked at him. “ Thinkest thou I will 
do thee any grace said he. “Thou and thy crew 
have put me to the laugh too many times. Thou shalt 
be hanged this day. ” 

Then Will Stutely begged that at least his hands 
might be unbound, but the Sheriff would no more grant 
this request than the other. “ Oh, no ! ” he said. 
“ Thinkest thou to escape me so % Thou shalt die on the 
gallows. Ay, and thy master, too, if it ever lies in my 
power. ” 

In truth, he feared, even with all his men about him, 
that Will Stutely would escape if his hands were free. 

In the mean while, Little John had crept near, quite 
unnoticed by the Sheriff or his foresters, though the 
palmer took heed of it, and thought also that he could 
descry Bobin Hood’s party in the opening of the 
trees. 

And now Little John leapt out from behind a bush, 
and while they all stood gaping in alarm at the appear- 
ance of the seven-foot champion, he was cutting Will’s 
bands, and calling out to the Sheriff, “Before he dies 
he should take leave of his dear friends. I needs must 
borrow him a while. How say you, master Sheriff ! ” 

Then as the Sheriff stamped his foot in a rage and 
cried out to his guards, “ He is some sturdy rebel. Seize 
him, you miscreants,” Little John had given his sword 
to Will Stutely and twitched another from one of the 


128 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


guards, and back to back they defied the Sheriff and all 
his men. 

It was in vain for the Sheriff to stamp his foot or com- 
mand his men to attack, for Robin Hood was already 
rushing out of the woods, followed by four and twenty 
bold yeomen, and they shot their arrows right and left 
among the crowd. 

The Sheriff, as usual, was the first man to flee, and his 
foresters were not much braver when they saw who was 
upon them ; in a moment those who were not dead had 
escaped into the castle and let down the portcullis 
and pulled up the drawbridge. 

By this time Will had so far recovered his spirits that 
he was ready to laugh at the adventure, and was resolved 
never to be downcast again ; and he cried out with a 
taunt to the Sheriff, “Stay, stay. ’Tis unmannerly not 
to take leave ere you depart. You’ll never catch Robin 
Hood unless you dare face him.” 

And Robin Hood, in disgust because he was deprived 
of his sport, shouted, “111 betide you for a sneaking 
coward, that you so soon are gone. ” For his sword was 
burning in its scabbard, and he would fain have repaid 
the Sheriff for his attack on Barnsdale. 

So for that time the Sheriff was safe, and Robin Hood 
led his men all back to the greenwood where they found 
the Potter had been before them, and had left them the 
provisions to feast and make merry. 


ROBIN HOOD FIGHTS WITH THE PINDER 129 


CHAPTEB XYII 

ROBIN HOOD FIGHTS WITH THE PINDER OF WAKE- 
FIELD 

You must know that Bobin Hood was of a roving dis- 
position, and though his trysting-place was in Sherwood 
and he had a chapel and a little house in the woods at 
Barnsdale, yet he was ever making excursions into other 
counties of England, especially if he could hear of any 
stout champion or any sturdy young stripling. He was 
always on the lookout for such, for he would willingly 
join them to his band, and he was always ready to have 
a bout with them to try their valor, even though he was 
sometimes worsted in the encounter. He was so bold 
himself, and of such frank manners, and if he were de- 
feated in combat, he made so merry over his mischance, 
that many a good, tall fellow was drawn to him and fol- 
lowed him to the greenwood who might otherwise have 
been the pride of the King’s officers. 

Xow Bobin Hood had heard of the Pinder of Wake- 
field, how he was a stalwart man and a faithful, and how 
he had made it his boast that no one, -be he knight or 
squire, or even a baron bold, should dare to trespass in 
the town of Wakefield. If he saw any one stalking into 
the fields or riding slyly in the forest, he straightway 
made after him and compelled him to leave his horse in 
the pinfold of Wakefield ; or lacking a horse, he would 
seize his purse, and it went to the common treasury. 


130 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


But Robin Hood bethought himself one day that he 
must cross to the other side of Wakefield, and that it 
was much shorter to go over the fields than to travel all 
round by the highroad. Moreover, he was willing to see 
what the jolly Pinder would do when he saw a bold out- 
law making straight across the growing corn. 

So he and Scarlet and Little John started out, expect- 
ing an adventure of some sort ; and sure enough, they 
had not advanced above twenty rods into the field of 
waving corn when they were hailed by the Pinder. 
u Hold fast !” cried he. “ Turn again. You have gone 
the wrong way ; you have forsaken the King’s highway 
and taken a path over the corn.” 

But Robin kept oh his way. u Think you we will go 
back for you % ” said he. u ’Twere great shame, we being 
three to one.” 

Then the Pinder took a great leap after them, — some 
say he covered thirty feet at a single bound, — and he set 
his back against a thorn tree and defied them to come 
farther. So there was nothing to do but to fight or turn 
back ; and Robin Hood was not a man to give up an en- 
terprise, though they thought it shame to fight three to 
one. However, they soon had need of all their skill, for 
the Pinder made so good his defence that he rained 
blows on every side, and they could scarce, with all their 
watchfulness, give him a single blow that told. 

Six long hours they fought, till their swords were 
broken in their hands, and their broad bucklers were 
wellnigh hewn in pieces. The sun was already begin- 


ROBIN HOOD FIGHTS WITH THE PINDER 131 

ning to set in the west, when Bobin Hood saw they 
should not get through the corn that night. 

“Hold thy hand! hold! ” cried he. “Thou art one of 
the best pinders that ever I did see, and thou hast fairly 



won the fight. Wilt thou forsake thy pinder’s trade 
and follow me % Here are three bold men, as you see, 
and we have not yielded, nor canst thou carry off onr 
goods to the pinfold; but if tlion wilt join ns, thou shalt 
see seven-score as merry men as ever lived in England, 


132 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


and thou shalt be one of the best in the greenwood. 
Two suits a year will I give thee, a green one for summer, 
and brown for winter. ” 

This, to be sure, was a strange proposal to make to the 
Pinder and a man who but a short time erewhile had 
been fighting to the death with him ; but the jolly Pinder 
cared not so much for the town of Wakefield as for his 
own glory ; and so that he might prove himself a brave 
man, he minded not whether he guarded the cornfields 
of the town or made war upon the evil knights and 
monks who rode through the forest. 

Nevertheless, he must keep his vow, and as he had 
given his covenant to the mayor to serve till Michael- 
mas, so he would hold the fields and guard the King’s 
highway till his time was out. “Then,” said he, “when 
every man gathers his fee, I will take my blue blade in 
my hand and e’en plod out to the greenwood with thee.” 

“A bargain,” said Eobin Hood. “And now canst 
thou not give meat and drink to my merry men and me ? 
This long day’s fighting has parched my tongue, and 
made me sore hungry ; and I would be loath to go back 
to the forest without my supper. ” 

“Bread and beef shalt thou have,” answered the Pin- 
der, “and good ale to wash it down, and we will drink 
together in token of our compact.” 

So they ate and drank and made merry for that night ; 
and in the morning Eobin Hood and his bold merry men 
departed for the greenwood; and, truth to tell, the story 
saith not that he ever undertook the journey beyond 


ROBIN HOOD HAS A BOUT WITH ARTHUR A-BLAND 133 

Wakefield again. Belike lie felt so well repaid by the 
conquest of a bold friend for the Michaelmas that he 
cared not to carry out that plan ; or, perchance, he sent 
one of his men by the highroad. 


CHAPTER XVIII 

ROBIN HOOD HAS A BOUT WITH ARTHUR A-BLAND, 
AND ROBS TWO MONKS OF THEIR MONEY 

You must not think that all the stout men in England 
were of Robin Hood’s band from the first. Indeed, 
there would have been no merry men at all, nor would 
he have been an outlaw himself, if the King’s officers 
had not been over-harsh in their places ; for Robin Hood 
reverenced the King and would fain obey his laws and 
live peaceably with all men, but the Sheriff* and the for- 
esters and the monks, who were always spying upon 
one’s deeds and getting one’s wealth on some pretext or 
another, made it impossible for bold and careless men to 
live at peace with the law. You shall hear later how ill 
they treated Sir Richard of Lea, and how they had 
nearly got all his houses and lands, and how they be- 
sieged him in his own castle, all through no fault of his 
own, but because of his exceeding goodness and kind- 
heartedness. 

So, many a man was driven from the town, and many 
left from free choice. Arthur a-Bland, the Tanner of 
Nottingham, was one of these, and he joined himself 


134 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


with Eobin Hood quite by accident, as you shall hear ; 
though when he was once among the company they knew 



not how they had ever fared without him, he was so 
stout with the quarter-staff, and so merry with his jests 
and his songs, and withal so big and burly and roistering. 


ROBIN HOOD HAS A BOUT WITH ARTHUR A-BLAND 135 

He was a shrewd fellow with the pike staff, and there 
were no two or three men in Nottingham who durst 
stand against him, but he kept within the law, and 
neither the King’s foresters nor the Sheriff had aught to 
say against him, except that he was a turbulent man in 
a crowd, so that they had their eye upon him. 

Now one summer morning, when there were no hides 
for him to tan, and the tanning-yard shone hot and dry 
in the sun, he bethought himself that he would go into 
the forest and have a look at the red deer. And as he 
went he twirled his huge pike staff, and sang a merry 
tune, for the summer was in his bones, and he felt right 
gay and gladsome. 

“ The hunt is up ! The hunt is up ! 

And it is wellnigh day ; 

And Harry our King is gone hunting, 

To bring his deer to bay. 

“The east is bright with morning light; 

And darkness, it is fled : 

And the merry horn wakes up the Morn, 

To leave his idle bed. 

“ Behold the skies, with golden dyes. 

Are glowing all around ! 

The grass is green, and so are treen, 

All laughing at the sound. 

“ The horses snort to be at the sport, 

The dogs are running free ; 

The woods rejoice at the merry noise 
Of Hey tantara tee ree ! 


136 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“ The sun is glad to see us clad 
All in our lusty green ; 

And smiles in the sky, as he riseth high 
To see, and to be seen. 

“ Awake, all men ! I say again, 

Be merry, as you may ! 

For Harry our King is gone hunting, 

To bring his deer to bay.” 

Now it chanced that Eobin Hood was walking that 
way. And when he heard these merry notes he turned 
aside to know who it might be who was trolling a song 
in the greenwood, and when he beheld the huge Tanner 
twirling his pike staff and striding along through a green 
alley, he bethought himself that he would have some 
sport. 

“Stand, there!” cried he. “Who art thou, bold fel- 
low, that art ranging up and down this greenwood? I 
like not thy looks, pardee. Thou seemest like a thief 
that comes to steal the King’s deer, with thy long pike 
staff. But thou must know that I am the keeper of this 
forest. The King put me here in trust to look to his 
deer, as they range here and there. Therefore I bid thee 
stand.” 

But Arthur a-Bland was big and burly, and he had 
no mind to be at the bidding of a stranger, a man not so 
big as himself. 

“If thou art the keeper of this forest,” said he, “and 
hast so great command here, thou must have more com- 


ROBIN HOOD HAS A BOUT WITH ARTHUR A-BLAND 137 

panions to thy bidding ere I stand for thee ; ” and he was 
for passing on. 

But Bobin Hood addressed him again. “I’ll have no 
more men to do my bidding to make thee stand,” said 
he. “I have a staff of another oak than thine that will 
make thee stop when I bid thee.” 

“A fig for thy boast,” answered the Tanner. “Make 
thee ready and we will see which is the better man.” 

Then Bobin Hood unbuckled his belt and laid down 
his long bow, and he took up his staff and looked at it 
to see if it were strong. 

“Let us measure staves,” said he; “methinks mine is 
half a foot longer than thine, and I would not have the 
advantage of thee, for that would be foul play.” 

“I care not for length,” answered the Tanner. “My 
staff is eight feet and a half. It will knock down a calf ; 
I hope it will knock down thee ; ” and they set to, and 
the blows came so thick and fast that one could not count 
them. About and about they went like two wild boars 
in the chase, aiming at legs or arms or head till they 
had been at it for two long hours and more ; then Bobin 
Hood cried out to the Tanner to stay his hand. 

“Let our quarrel cease,” said he. “Here we may 
thrash our bones into jelly and get nothing from it. 
Hereafter thou shalt be free in the forest of Sherwood. ” 

“ God-a-mercy, man, for nothing,” answered Arthur a- 
Blaud. “ I thank my good pike staff, and not thee for 
my freedom.” 

But Bobin paid no heed to this taunt. “ What trade 


138 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


are thou, good fellow? I fain would know, and where 
dost thou dwell ? ” 

“I am a tanner of Nottingham,” said Arthur. “I 
have wrought there long, and if thou visit me there I’ll 
tan thy hide for naught.” 

“ Thank you kindly, my fine fellow,” returned Eobin 
Hood. “Methinks thou art wondrous courteous, and 
I’ll do as much for thee. But if thou wilt forsake thy 
tanner’s trade and live in the greenwood with me I will 
give thee both gold and living. ” 

“ Thou must be Eobin Hood, ” quoth the other. “ Well 
met! My name is Arthur a-Bland, and since we two 
have met, I will never depart from thee. Here is my 
hand upon it. But where is Little John? He is my 
cousin, and I fain would see him. ’Tis many a year 
since he left us and joined himself with thee.” 

Then Eobin Hood blew on his bugle horn, and Little 
John came quickly tripping down a green hill. “ What 
is the matter, dear master? ” cried he. “ Why stand you 
with staff in hand, and your belt unbuckled ? And there 
is blood about you. I fear me all is not well. ” 

“ I stand here,” answered Eobin Hood, “ because this 
man and I have had a bout, and neither of us can make 
the other to yield. He has given me many a hard knock, 
and soundly has he tanned my hide.” 

“He is to be commended,” said Little John gravely, 
but with a twinkle in his eye, “if he can do that feat. 
If he is so stout as that let him tan my hide, too. 
Come on, man ; let us have a bout. ” 


ROBIN HOOD HAS A BOUT WITH ARTHUR A-BLAND 139 

“Hold!” said Robin Hood. “He is a good yeoman 
and of thy own kin; his name is Arthur a-Bland. 
Receive him courteously, for he is come to join us in the 
greenwood. Give him a suit of green, and make it your 
business to teach him the art of the bow and arrow. He 
will shortly be one of our best marksmen, if I mistake 
not.” So Little John led his cousin away to the tryst- 
ing-tree, where he met many a strong fellow of his own 
kind, and they gave him a rousing welcome. 

But Robin Hood went not with them. “It is yet four 
hours to sundown,” quoth he. “I will see what further 
I can meet with in way of adventure. Perchance I may 
light on some red gold, for my stock is running low, 
and I have added one more to my band. 

“I will beg,” he said to himself. “Surely I am in a 
wretched plight. My clothes are torn and dusty, and 
the blood has clotted on my face. Of a certainty I am 
an object of pity. I need not to stick rosemary in my 
flesh or mortify my bare arms, to increase my miserable 
appearance. I will see what I can make at Little John’s 
trade.” 

So saying he walked boldly out upon the highroad. 
He had not gone far ere he espied two fat priests come 
riding slowly along by the side of the road, with their 
bags hanging over their saddle bows, and chatting in low 
tones. 

“By Our Lady,” said Robin Hood, “if these lazy 
priests cannot give me a penny, I will forswear my 
calling ; ” and he made up to them, and asked humbly 


140 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


that they should have pity on a poor man, who had just 
been robbed and beaten. 

“For the love of mercy, ” said he, “give me a penny, 
for I have far to travel and am in sore need. ” 



“By my halidom,” replied one of the priests, “we are 
in the same plight as thyself. Not a penny have we, 
for we were robbed not half a mile back ; — belike by 
the same set of strong thieves as have dealt so hardly 
by you. Thou hast fought with them, it appears ; but 



Robin Hood and Arthur a-Bland (Page 137) 


142 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


take my word for it, it is always safe to yield peaceably 
or run away in suck a case. Then at least thou wilt 
preserve a whole skiu. ” 

“St. Christopher, have mercy on us all, then, ” said 
Robin Hood. “I will do as you bid, the next time. 
But, perchance, the Lord will send us some money, if we 
pray. Get down from your horses, and let us retire 
into the wood a little space, and there let us pray that 
our money be restored to us. I have heard greater mir- 
acles than that ere now. ” 

Now the priests had no mind to leave the King’s high - 
way, where they were safe from harm, but Robin Hood 
was so sturdy a beggar, and withal looked with such an 
air of command, that they durst not deny him his re- 
quest. So they alighted from their comfortable palfreys, 
and led them a little way into the copse, and there they 
lifted up their voices to pray. 

Loud and long did they pray. And Robin Hood 
made as if he accompanied them, and at the end of an 
hour he made a sign for them to stop. “If the Lord 
have not sent us an answer ere this,” said he, “He will 
not that the money be returned to us. Let us search our 
pockets to see if there be aught within.” 

So they dived into their pockets and made as though 
they were hunting in every corner ; but nothing did they 
find. But all the while they cast sly looks at each other, 
and Robin Hood liked not their countenance. 

“There are the bags at the saddle-bows,” said he 
at last, when none could find a penny in his pockets. 


ROBIN HOOD HAS A BOUT WITH ARTHUR A-BLAND 143 

“ Peradventure we shall find the money there, ” and he 
laid his hands upon the first bag. “Spread out thy 
mantle, ” commanded he to one of the priests, “for this 
bag is wondrous heavy. Methinks our prayer has been 
answered tenfold, ” and he poured out the contents of 
the bag upon the ground. Then he took the other bag, 
and that was even heavier than the first. 

“Here’s a brave show,” said he, N “to see such store of 
gold.” But the priests stood silent and dared look 
neither at him nor at each other. He counted the 
whole, and it came to four hundred pounds. 

“How,” said he, “if I had not bethought myself that 
prayer might bring back our money, you would not have 
had any ; and moreover, I have still my w r ounds and my 
torn clothes, over and above the loss of my money, that 
the thieves took ; but I will leave you your share, be- 
cause you prayed so heartily. Fifty pounds you may 
have, and I shall not count myself too well repaid for 
my trouble and care. Fare you well, gentlemen. I will 
take one of these bags to carry off my share.” 

All this while the priests stood dumb. They durst 
not speak a word, but they sighed a wondro?^ deep sigh 
that he should have discovered their money , and he left 
them standing in doubt and fear in the coppice, while he 
took one of the horses and rode back to the trysting- 
tree. 

There he found the wdiole band making merry w r ith 
their new comrade, and when he related how he had 
gained a stout friend and three hundred pounds into the 


144 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


bargain in one day, they all shouted. And they took 
hold of hands and danced around the oak tree and sang 
till the wood rang again with their merriment. 


CHAPTEE XIX 

ROBIN HOOD LENDS MONEY TO THE DISCONSOLATE 
KNIGHT 

Xot long after this Eobin Hood had a chance to show 
his courtesy and his generosity, for he was not always on 
the lookout for a bout with strong champions, or prac- 
tical jokes on lazy priests. He was a kindly man and 
gentle when need was. 

He was standing by a tree one morning with Little 
John and Will Scarlet and Midge the Miller’s son. 
They had worked all the morning finishing off some fine 
arrows, and Eobin was most careful that the goose feath- 
ers should be well fitted and cut to a perfect form, for 
on the shape and thickness of the feathers depends the 
flight of an arrow. If they be too short, they serve not 
to keep the shaft true to its course, and if they be long 
and loose they take the wind, and the arrow will not 
speed. It is often that the skill with which an arrow is 
made tells more in the aim than the strength with which 
the bow is bent. 

At last they had a fine pile of arrows, ready for a 
moment’s shooting ; but they had been so absorbed in 
their work that they had not seen how time' fled. And 


ROBIN HOOD LENDS MONEY TO THE KNIGHT 145 

now when they had finished they began to think of 
dinner. 

“Master,” said Little John, “I would fain eat and 
drink after this morning’s labor. Methinks it would do 
us good to dine betimes to-day.” 

“Dine?” said Robin. “I have no lust to dine till I 
have some guest who may pay the reckoning, some bold 
baron or knight that has more than he can spend. Do 
thou ride out and bring me a guest.” 

“Where shall we ride?” asked Little John, “and 
whom shall we bring to you, or how shall we know 
whom to leave ? ” 

“Oh! it makes little difference,” answered his master. 
“Any one will serve well enough. But look you, do 
harm to no husbandman, who tills the ground. He earns 
a right to all he may get. Nor to no yeoman, who tends 
well his lands and forests ; but the bishops and archbish- 
ops, and above all, the high Sheriff of Nottingham, keep 
an eye out for him and for all such.” 

“Your commands shall be obeyed,” said Little John; 
“and may we soon find some guest, for the day is far 
spent, and I would we were at our dinner.” 

“Take thy good bow,” commanded Robin, “and let 
Scarlet and Midge go with thee ; and go up to Sayles, 
and so out to Watling Street. And any baron or earl or 
abbot or knight that you meet with, bring him hither to 
me. ” 

So the three went out upon the road, and they looked 
east and they looked west, but no man might they see 


146 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


till, as they looked back down toward Barnsdale, in a 
dark stretch of the road, they saw a knight riding slowly 
along, and him they accosted. A most woe-begone knight 
he seemed. One foot was in the stirrup, but he had 
paid no heed when he mounted, and the other foot was 
dangling at his horse’s side. His hood hung over into 
his eyes, and there was no pride or pomp about the trap- 
pings of his horse, such as knights are wont to show 
when they ride upon the highroad. 

Full of wonderment at his appearance, Little John 
approached him courteously, and bent his knee, as he 
spoke. “Welcome to the greenwood, gentle knight, ” 
quoth he, “my master awaits yon fasting, and has 
tarried for you, sir, these three hours.” 

“ Who is your master ? ” asked the disconsolate knight, 
in surprise ; but even as he spoke the tears welled from 
his eyes. 

“Robin Hood,” answered Little John. 

“He is a good yeoman,” said the knight. “I will go 
with you gladly, my brethren, though my purpose was 
to dine at Doncaster to-day ; ” and he turned his horse 
with them into an alley of the woods. 

He seemed of so sorrowful mien that they ventured 
not to ask him questions or to converse in his company, 
but conducted him silently to the lodge door. When 
Robin Hood saw them he doffed his hood full courte- 
ously, and bent the knee to him. “Welcome, Sir 
Knight,” said he. “Thou art thrice welcome to me, I 
have awaited thee fasting these three hours. ” And the 


ROBIN HOOD LENDS MONEY TO THE KNIGHT 147 

knight as courteously replied, “God save thee and all 
thy fair company ; ” and he likewise took off his hood, 
in deference to his host. 



Then he descended from his horse, and after they had 
washed their hands and dried them on linen towels, they 
sat them down to dinner. A right royal dinner it was, 
with bread and wine enough and swans and pheasants 
and numbles of the deer. Robin Hood was most friendly 



148 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


and pressed the stranger to eat merrily, and when they 
had finished, the knight thanked him and vowed he had 
not eaten so good a dinner for three weeks. 

“If I come again to this country,” said he, “I will 
make thee as good a dinner.” 

“Gramercy,” returned Eobin, “I am never so eager as 
to crave a dinner, but now ye must pay ere ye depart. 
Methinks it is never the custom for a yeoman to pay for 
a knight.” 

“I have naught in my bags to offer you in very 
shame,” sighed the knight. “I have no more but ten 
shillings, and that is the truth. ” 

“Say you so?” said Eobin Hood. “Little John, go 
thou and search, and be not afraid to look carefully. If 
thou hast no more than ten shillings, I will not touch a 
penny; and if thou hast need of more, I will lend it 
thee.” 

So Little John spread out his mantle smoothly on the 
ground, as he had often done before, expecting to find a 
rich haul ; but he could find naught in the knight’s cof- 
fers but even half a pound. There he let it lie while he 
went to his master and told him that the knight was true 
enough ; there were only the ten shillings. 

Then Eobin Hood was filled with wonder and pity for 
the knight, and he cried out: “Pour out the best wine 
and let the stranger begin. But how is it that thy cloth- 
ing is so thin? Tell me, wert thou made a knight per- 
force, when thou didst need thy money for other ends; 
or hast thou lived in strife with thy neighbor ; or hast 


ROBIN HOOD LENDS MONEY TO THE KNIGHT 149 

thou been an ill husbandman of thy goods and spent all 
foolishly ? ” 

“None of these things be true,” replied the disconso- 
late knight. “ I am Sir Richard of Lea, and my ances- 
tors have been knights for a hundred winters. Within 
these two years, as my neighbors will tell thee, I had 
four hundred pounds of good money, that I might 
spend as I would. But now I have no good thing in 
the world, God has so shaped my destiny, except my 
wife and my children ; nor shall I have till God amend 
my lot.” 

“But in what manner, then,” asked Robin Hood, 
“hast thou lost thy riches? ” 

“For my foolishness, it may seem to you,” answered 
the knight, “and for my fondness. I had a son that was 
to have been my heir, in good sooth. When he was 
twenty years old he could joust full fairly in the field, 
but he slew a knight of Lancashire in a quarrel, and to 
save him in his rights I sold all my goods, and my lands 
are put in pledge till All Saints’ Day. They are in the 
keeping of a rich Abbot not far away — of St. Mary’s Ab- 
bey in York.” 

“ What is the sum for which thou art bound to him ? ” 
asked Robin Hood. 

“Sir,” he replied, “four hundred pounds the Abbot 
told out to me, and the day approaches when I must pay 
the money or lose my lands; and I have nothing.” 

“ But what canst thou do if thou lose thy land ? ” said 
Robin Hood. “ What will become of thee ? ” 


150 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“I will not stay in England, ” siglied the knight. “I 
will e’en hasten over the salt sea. Jerusalem will I seek, 
and as a palmer will I visit the Mount of Calvary where 
our Lord Christ died upon the cross. Fare ye well, my 
friend. My lot may not be amended, and I must to the 
seaboard.” 

But Robin still detained him. “Hast thou no 
friends? ” he asked. And the knight answered sorrow- 
fully while still the tears coursed down his cheeks, 
“ Good sir, not one will know me. While I was rich at 
home, they made great boast to be friend of mine, but 
now they run from me like sheep all in a line. They 
take no more heed of me than if they never saw me. ” 

Great pity then felt Little John and Will Scarlet. 
Will remembered his own lands and his false brother 
who had been no friend to him, and now he might never 
live in his own house again, and he would gladly have 
done something for the knight ; and Robin Hood could 
scarce conceal his tears for ruth of this poor knight. 
So he bade the goblets be filled, and while they were 
drinking he said: “Hast thou any friend who would 
stand surety for thee? Perchance I might lend thee 
what thou needest. ” 

“Rone,” answered the disconsolate knight. “God is 
my only friend, and He has deserted me in my distress. 
— And Our Hear Lady,” he continued. “She never 
failed me before this day.” 

“By my troth,” said Robin Hood, catching at his 
words, “and I never knew a better sponsor. Come 



Bobin Hood and Sir Bichard of Lea (Page 147 ) 



152 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


here, Little John. Go to my treasury and bring me four 
hundred pounds ; and look thou tell out the full sum. 
Let it not fall short. ” 

Never was a man more eager to do an errand than 
Little John, and Scarlet went before him in his desire 
to do the knight a good turn. Midge, too, would not be 
left behind, and they watched while Little John told out 
the money by scores and tens, four hundred pounds and 
somewhat over. “Is that well counted? ” asked Midge; 
and John replied: “What grieveth thee? It is alms to 
help a gentle knight that is fallen into poverty, and why 
need we count every penny ? ” 

Then when he returned with the gold he said: “Mas- 
ter, his clothing is full thin. Shall we not give him a 
good livery to wrap his body in ere he go? Ye have 
scarlet and green, and many a rich garment, more than 
any merchant in all England, I dare swear. ” 

“Certes,” answered Robin Hood. “Mete out three 
yards of every color; and look thou measure it well. ” 
But Little John took no other measure than his bow, and 
with every length he skipped half a yard. 

“What a plague art thou for a draper, ” said little 
Midge; bat Scarlet stood by and laughed. “John 
may well give good measure,” he said; “it costs him 
little.” 

“Now, master,” said Little John, when he had brought 
back the cloth, “ye must give the knight a horse to fetch 
home all these goods;” and Robin replied: “Take my 
gray courser, and put on him a new saddle.” — “And add 


THE GENTLE KNIGHT REPAYS THE ABBOT 153 

a pair of boots, ” put in Scarlet; “for lie is a gentle 
knight. ” 

“But what wilt thou give him thyself, Little John?” 
asked Bobin. “Thou hast been so generous of my 
goods. ” 

“A pair of gilt spurs,” said John; “and may we all 
pray that he be brought out of distress.” 

So they fitted out the gentle knight with a fresh horse 
and fine riding boots with gilt spurs, and they loaded 
the other horse with all the cloth for new garments, and 
the bag of money ; and he was no longer the disconsolate 
knight, for he began to show good cheer and to smile ; 
and truly he was a handsome knight when they had 
chased the care from his brow. 

“ When shall my day be ? ” he asked of Bobin Hood as 
he mounted to ride away. 

“This day twelvemonth,” answered Bobin Hood; 
“ under this trysting-tree. But it were great shame a 
knight should ride alone without squire or yeoman or 
page. I will lend thee Little John. He will do thee 
yeoman service, if ever thou stand’st in need.” 


CHAPTEB XX 

THE GENTLE KNIGHT REPAYS THE ABBOT 

So the knight departed, and with him went Little 
John; and as he rode he said to Little John: “To-mor- 
row is the day that I must to St. Mary’s Abbey in York, 


154 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


for I must pay four huudred pounds to the Abbot there, 
or else my land is lost forever. ” And that night they 
lay at an inn by the wayside to be ready for the journey 
on the morrow. 

Now when the morning came the Abbot was among 
his monks, and he said to them: “This day twelvemonth 



a knight came to me and borrowed four hundred pounds. 
He borrowed it upon his land, and if he come not to-day 
to pay it, he shall be disinherited of his land, and it 
will pass to this convent.” 

“The day is not far spent,” said the prior. “I had 
rather a hundred pounds that we should wait. The 
knight has gone far beyond seas, and perchance he suf- 



THE GENTLE KNIGHT REPAYS THE ABBOT 155 

fers cold and hunger, and many a mishap ; but in Eng- 
land is his right. It is great pity to seize his land on 
such pretence. Ye do him much wrong if ye wait not at 
least the full day. ” 

“Thou art ever crossing me, ” said the Abbot, “and 
hindering me of my bargains.” 

With that came the high cellarer. “He is dead or 
hanged,” said the monk, “I am full sure, and we shall 
have the four hundred pounds a year to spend in this 
abbey.” 

But the Abbot had retained the Lord Chief Justice for 
robe and fee to give sentence upon the knight ; and the 
Sheriff had come to carry out the orders of the court ; 
and ere noon the Lord Justice began to give his judg- 
ment, and to declare that the knight had forfeited his 
day. “I dare swear,” said he, “that he will not come 
this day. Thou shalt have his lands and rents. ” 

But even as he was speaking, the knight was nearing 
the gate. Simply clad he came with only Little John 
for squire, but he sat on the brave courser that Bobin 
Hood had given him, and the porter who let him in at 
the gate swore that he had never seen so fine a charger 
or so well groomed ; and he was for leading the horse 
away to the stable, but the knight forbade. 

The Abbot and his monks and the Lord Chief Justice 
with the Sheriff were all seated in the great hall of the 
abbey eating a great dinner when the knight entered. 
And he went forward and kneeled down before the 
Abbot, and saluted them both more and less. 


156 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“Rejoice with me, Sir Abbot,” said the knight. “I 
am come to keep my day.” But the only word that the 
Abbot growled out was, “Hast thou brought the pay ? ” 
Now the knight was taken aback to be received so 
discourteously, and he thought there would have beeu 
small reason for keeping his day if he had not brought 
the money, but he was quick of wit, and since the Abbot 
had asked the foolish question he answered in kind. 
“No, not a penny,” he began, but the Abbot interrupted 
him. “ Thou art a shrewd debtor, ” said he. “Sir Jus- 
tice, drink to me ; I shall have the land. ” Then he 
turned to the knight again. “But what dost thou here,” 
he said, “if thou hast not brought my pay? ” 

“As I live,” said the knight, “to ask for longer time.” 
“Thy day is lost,” said the Justice. “Thou gettest 
not thy land, since thou canst not pay. ” 

“Good Lord Justice,” pleaded the knight, “befriend 
me from my foes. I will surely pay, but I must have 
longer time.” But the Justice was bound for robe and 
fee to the Abbot, and he swore that the knight must keep 
his day or lose his land. 

Then the knight turned to the Sheriff, but the Sheriff 
would have naught to say to him. And again he begged 
the Abbot to be merciful, and still hold his lands in pawn 
till he had given satisfaction. “I will be thy servant,” 
he said, “and serve thee truly, till ye have four hundred 
pounds of good money by me.” 

“ Get the land where thou mayst, ” said the Abbot ; 
“thou gettest none from me.” 


THE GENTLE KNIGHT REPAYS THE ABBOT 157 

“By my faith, then,” exclaimed the knight, “if I get 
not my land again, thou shalt pay dearly for it. But it 
were good in future to try a friend before one have 
need. ” 

Then the Abbot began to look evilly upon him, and to 



call him villanons names. “Get thee gone,” he said, 
“thou false knight. Take thee out of my hall;” but 
the knight sprang up in anger. “False knight am I 


158 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


not,” said lie; “nor is it a courteous abbot who would 
leave a knight kneeling so long. In jousts and tourna- 
ments I have gone as far in the press as any other 
knight. ” 

And when the Justice saw him, how he grew angry 
and would stand up for his own in spite of the Abbot, 
and when he knew that as the day was not gone, he might 
not lawfully deliver the land to the Abbot, he was afraid, 
and he said to the Abbot: “What will you give now if 
the knight will give a release of his lands'? I dare 
swear, unless thou givest something more, thou wilt 
never hold the lands in peace.” 

“A hundred pounds,” said the Abbot. 

“Make it two hundred,” counselled the Justice. 

“Aay,” cried the knight, “though ye give nine hun- 
dred pounds, yet ye would never be nearer the land. 
Ye shall not be my heir, neither abbot, nor justice, nor 
friar,” and he started up to the board and shook out of 
his bag four hundred pounds, neither more nor less. 
“ Take here your gold, Sir Abbot, which ye lent to me. 
If ye had been more courteous, I had rewarded you with 
interest. ” 

The Abbot sat still and stared, nor did he eat any more 
that day for all the royal fare that was before him. He 
had paid his fee and his robe to the Justice, and set a 
great feast, and all for naught. But the knight was 
blithe. “Sir Abbot, and ye men of law,” said he, “ now 
have I held my day, and shall have my land again for 
aught that ye can say ; ” and he departed with happy 


THE GENTLE KNIGHT REPAYS THE ABBOT. 159 

mien. Away was all liis care. Gayly he took off his 
simple weed, and he clothed himself in the fine clothing 
that Eobin Hood had given him, and he rode forth sing- 
ing merrily. 

But the Abbot was loath to lose the land that he had 
set his heart on. There were many acres of plowlands 
and fair pasture, and he had cast a greedy eye upon it, 
and he took counsel with his monks how he might com- 
pass his ends; and the high cellarer, who before had 
been so sure that the knight had died or been hanged, 
offered to ride to London to see if he might not pervert 
justice in the moot court, or, perad venture, at West- 
minster; for corruption and bribery were ever busy 
in the courts, and if he delivered a present to the judge 
or prevailed on some base lawyer to plead his cause 
he hoped they might yet win back the land. 

But the knight rode straight for his own castle, and 
his lady met him at the gate. “Welcome, my lord,” 
said she. “ Is all thy fortune lost, or hast thou saved 
any portion of it?” 

“Nay,” answered the knight, “be merry, dame, and 
pray for Eobin Hood. He helped me out of sorrow. 
Had it not been for him, we had now been beggars. The 
Abbot and I have ended our compact. I have paid him 
the money which the good yeoman lent me, when I 
passed by Barnsdale ; ” and he related all his adventures 
in the greenwood. 

So the knight dwelt at home till he could collect the 
four hundred pounds with which to repay Eobin Hood, 


160 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


and Little John remained with him, well pleased with 
his service, though sometimes he longed for the freedom 
of the greenwood, and to see his master Eobin Hood. 
At such times, when he was polishing the knight’s sword 
or mending the hanger, he would clear his voice and 
sing a lay. 


“I am as I am, and so will I be; 

But how that I am, none knoweth truly. 

Be it evil, be it well, be I bond, be I free, 

I am as I am, and so will I be. 

“ I lead my life indifferently ; 

I mean nothing but honesty ; 

And though folks judge full diversely, 

I am as I am, and so will I be. 

“I do not.rejoice, nor yet complain, 

Both mirth and sadness I do refrain, 

And use the means since folks will feign ; 

Yet I am as I am, be it pleasure or pain.” 

CHAPTER XXI 

LITTLE JOHN BECOMES THE SHERIFF’S MAN AND 
CARRIES OFF HIS COOK AND HIS SILVER TO 
THE FOREST 

Xow it grieved the gentle knight, Sir Richard of Lea, 
to know that any man was sober, when he himself was 
rejoicing, and he cast about in his mind to know what 
Little John would like; and he bethought himself of 



/••V.V.WV.V.V/ 


r'-.v ■'■avXv/M :•>. i-SSH I 






Little John and the Cook (Page 165 ) 




162 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


a shooting match at Nottingham that was to be held the 
next day. 

“ Little John,” quoth he, “thou hast served me well 
and faithfully. Wouldst thou enjoy a holiday to- 
morrow? Thou art a good shot, and there is to be 
shooting at the butts to-morrow in Nottingham. I 
will ride with thee, if thou like, to see that thou hast 
fair play.” 

Nothing could have pleased Little John better, and he 
went about whistling and singing all the day. So they 
set out the next morning for Nottingham, and when they 
reached the town the match was just beginning, and 
Little John took his place with the rest. Three times he 
shot in turn, and each time he split the wand. 

Now the Sheriff was standing by the mark, and he 
noted Little John’s fine aim. “By the mass,” said he, 
“this is the best archer that ever I saw. Tell me now, 
young man, what is thy name, and where wert thou 
born ? ” 

“In Holderness, sir, was I born,” answered Little 
John; “and men call me Eeynald Greenleaf when I am 
at home. ” 

“Wilt thou dwell with me?” asked the Sheriff. 
“Every year thou shalt have twelve marks, and I will 
feed and clothe thee well.” 

“I have a master already,” said Little John; “but he 
is a courteous knight. If ye can get his leave I will re- 
main with you.” So the Sheriff persuaded Sir Eichard 
to lend him Little John for a twelvemonth, and he gave 


LITTLE JOHN BECOMES THE SHERIFF’S MAN 163 

him for the bargain a good horse, strong and hand- 
some. 

But Little John had no mind to stay with the Sheriff, 
but only to serve him some shrewd turn if so be that he 
had a chance, and so to escape to the forest. “ By my 
faith and honor,” said Little John to himself, “I will be 
the worst servant to him that he ever had;” but he 
bided his time. 

It fell upon a Wednesday in the second month that 
Little John had dwelt with the Sheriff, that his master 
went out hunting early one morning and left Little 
John still in bed. He had clean forgotten him, and 
when Little John awoke there was no breakfast pre- 
pared for him, and none would serve him without the 
Sheriff’s commands. Long the Sheriff tarried, and it 
was past noon when Little John was still fasting. He 
roamed about the great hall in discontent, and at last he 
approached the steward. 

“Good steward,” he said, “I pray thee give me my 
dinner. It is long for Greenleaf to go without food.” 
But the steward was surly ; moreover, he was afraid of 
his master, and without orders he dared not set out a 
meal. So he growled to Little John, “ Thou shalt have 
neither meat nor drink till my lord comes back.” 

“I have a mind to crack thy crown,” muttered Little 
John; for as you must remember, he was somewhat 
quick of temper, and he was not in a more pleasant 
humor because of his long fast ; but he bided his time. 

Then he besought the butler to give him a drink, but 


164 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


the butler was jealous of the tall archer that the Sheriff 
had got, and had uo mind to do him a favor. He tossed 
his head and made fast the buttery door, thinking to 
escape the wrath of Little John for he knew well that 



Little John could give a strong blow. But the door was 
not strong enough ; with a swing of his foot Little John 
beat it down ; for his blood was up and he began to think 
that to-day he must pay his scot to the Sheriff and be off 
to the greenwood, for he could restrain himself no longer. 


LITTLE JOHN BECOMES THE SHERIFF’S MAN 165 

With a blow he felled the butler, and then he made 
his choice of all the ale and wine in the buttery ; but 
still he had nothing to eat, so he descended into the 
kitchen and demanded a pasty of the cook. Now cooks 
have proverbially bad tempers, and on this occasion this 
cook was no exception. Moreover, he was stout and 
large of limb, so that he feared nor man nor beast. 
“ Thou art a shrewd fellow,” he said, “to dwell in a 
house, and come at all hours asking for thy meals,” and 
he gave Little John a stroke of his fist that would have 
knocked over any common man. 

But Little John by this time was in a merry humor 
with the wine he had drunk, and he declared the buffet 
pleased him mightily. “Thou art a hardy man,” said 
he. “Ere I leave this place I will assay thee again. 
What weapon wilt thou choose ? ” But before he had 
finished speaking he had drawn his bright sword, and 
the cook had snatched down another from the wall. 
They were well matched; for, though Little John was 
seven-foot tall, he had lost some of his toughness of 
limb by living in the town and shut up in houses. And 
the cook was large, and the muscles of his arms were 
like whipcords. Belike the much stirring of sauces and 
puddings had seasoned his arm. 

Up and down the kitchen they fought till they had 
traversed a mile or two, but neither could get the advan- 
tage of the other. There was not the difference of a 
hair in their swords’ play. 

Then Little John called a halt, and said: “Thou art 


166 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


one of the best swordsmen that ever I met. If thou 
couldst shoot a bow as well as thou canst wield a sword 
thou wert welcome in the greenwood. Wilt thou away 
to Eobin Hood with me? I will teach thee to shoot, and 
thou shalt have two suits a year to thy back ; and Eobin 
Hood gives to every one of his men twenty marks a 
year.” 

“Put up thy sword,” answered the cook, “and let us 
be comrades.” Then he fetched Little John the numbles 
of a doe, and good white bread, and red wine, and they 
ate and drank together ; and when they had eaten their 
fill, they plighted their troths that they would be with 
Eobin Hood that very night. Then they went in haste 
to the treasure house, where they broke open all the 
locks, though they were made of fine steel. And they 
took away all the silver vessels and all the gold they 
could find. Eot a goblet or spoon did they leave, and 
of gold they carried off three hundred pounds if they 
did a penny. 

All this while the steward and the butler stood gaping, 
and dared not stir an inch. As they had been too surly 
to give Little John meat or drink when he asked cour- 
teously for it, so they were too craven to defend their 
lord’s treasure when they found that Little John could 
take what he wished without stopping to ask for it. 

When Little John and the cook had gathered all the 
silver and gold into a bag, they hied them to the green- 
wood, to Eobin Hood; and they were welcomed most 
joyously ; for truth to tell, Eobin Hood had sorely missed 


LITTLE JOHN BECOMES THE SHERIFF’S MAN 167 

his mate ; and as for his companion, a good cook is never 
amiss in a large household. 

So had Little John returned to his master a month be- 
fore his time was out, and they made a merry feast that 
night and sang blithely. And when Little John was 
asked if he had learned any new song in the town, he 
replied that all the lovers were singing this in honor of 
their mistresses : 

Between soft March and April showers, 

When sprays of bloom from branches spring, 

And when the little bird ’mid flowers 
Doth song of sweetness loudly sing : 

To her with longing love I cling, 

Of all the world the fairest thing, 

Whose thrall I am, who bliss can bring, 

And give to me life’s crown. 

A gracious fate to me is sent; 

Methinks it is by Heaven lent ; 

From women all, my heart is bent, 

To light on Alysoun. 

Her sheeny locks are fair to see. 

Her lashes brown, her eyes of black ; 

With lovely mouth she shines on me ; 

Her waist is slim, of lissom make. 

Unless as mate she will me take, 

To be her own, my heart will break; 

Longer to live I will forsake. 

And dead I will fall down. 

A gracious fate to me is sent ; 

Methinks it is by Heaven lent ; 

From women all, my heart is bent, 

To light on Alysoun. 


168 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


All for thy sake I restless turn, 

And wakeful hours sigh through at night ; 

For thee, sweet lady, do I yearn ; 

My cheeks wax wan in woeful plight. 

No man so wise that can aright 
Her goodness tell, her beauties bright ; 

Her throat is than the swan’s more white, 

The fairest maid in town. 

A gracious fate to me is sent ; 

Methinks it is by Heaven lent ; 

From women all, my heart is bent, 

To light on Alysoun. 

Weary as water in the weir, 

With wooing I am spent and worn ; 

Lest any reave me, much I fear, 

And leave me mateless and forlorn. 

A sharp, short pain is better borne, 

Than now and evermore to mourn. 

My love, O fair one, do not scorn. 

No longer on me frown ! 

A gracious fate to me is sent ; 

Methinks it is from Heaven lent ; 

From women all, my heart is bent, 

To light on Alysoun. 

“By St. Bicliard,” said Allen a-Dale, “that has the 
true lover’s ring. My life upon it, thine -eye hath rested 
on some face that it liked ; but thou art over sober for 
the greenwood. I doubt thou hast seen hard service, 
and art grown melancholy in the town ; but let me give 
thee a merrier tune. ” And he began : 

There was a jovial beggar 
He had a wooden leg, 


LITTLE JOHN BECOMES THE SHERIFF’S MAN 169 


Lame from liis cradle 
And forced for to beg. 

And a-begging will we go, we’ll go, we’ll go! 

And a-begging we will go ! 

A bag for liis oatmeal, 

Another for his salt ; 

And a pair of crutches, 

To show that he can halt. 

And a-begging will we go, etc. 

A bag for his wheat, 

Another for his rye ; 

A little bottle by his side 
To drink when he’s dry. 

And a-begging, etc. 

Seven years I begged 
For my old Master Wild, 

He taught me to beg 
When I was but a child. 

And a-begging, etc. 

I begged for my master, 

And got him store of pelf ; 

But now, Jove be praised ; 

I’m begging for myself. 

And a-begging, etc. 

In a hollow tree, 

I live and pay no rent ; 

Providence provides for me, 

And I am well content. 

And a-begging, etc. 


> 


170 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Of all the occupations 
A beggar’s life’s the best, 

For whene’er he’s weary 
He’ll lay him down and rest. 

And a-begging, etc. 

I fear no plots against me ; 

I live in open cell, 

Then w T lio would be a king 
When beggars live so well. 

And a-begging will we go, we’ll go, we’ll go! 

And a-begging we will go ! 

“How like you that? ” asked he when he had finished. 
“I learned it the last time I was in York, against the 
time when I might need to go a-begging. Though I 
hope not to catch so much by the trade as Little John. 
Three hundred pounds is a mere bagatelle to him, though 
I should be proud if I could bring in a hundred. ” 

“ ? Tis vastly fine,” returned Little John, “and thy 
voice has improved. Thou wilt be a fine singer if thou 
keep on.” 

“ Thank ye for nothing, ” said Allen, a little sulkily ; 
but Robin Hood interrupted. 

“What tidings bringest thou from Nottingham? ” said 
he. 

“The proud Sheriff,” answered Little John with a sly 
laugh, “greets thee well, and by token he hath sent thee 
by me his cook and his silver vessels and three hundred 
pounds of money. ” 

“I dare be sworn,” returned Robin Hood, “that it 



Robin Hood and the Shekiff (Page 174 ) 


172 THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 

was never by liis good will that this good has come to 
me. ” 

“Sayst thou so?” asked Littlejohn. “I will bring 
him here to vouch for himself,” and he started away into 
the forest. He had bethought himself of a wile. If he 
could but catch the Sheriff on his hunting, and persuade 
him to come to the trysting-tree, that were adding a jest 
to the theft of his silver which would be well pleasing to 
Bobin Hood. 

Five miles he ran and came up with the Sheriff just as 
he was leaving the forest and riding out into the open 
country. Little John knew well what was courteous, 
and though he made as if he had great and startling 
tidings to tell, and showed by his quick breathing that 
he had run a long distance, yet he shouted not what he 
had to say, but kneeled down before the Sheriff and 
greeted him as a servant should. “ God save and guard 
thee, my dear master, ” he said, and waited for the Sheriff 
to ask his news. 

“What!” said the Sheriff in surprise. “Beynald 
Greenleaf, is it thou? Where hast thou been?” 

“I have been wandering in the forest,” answered Lit- 
tle John, “and I have seen a fair sight, the fairest I ever 
yet saw. Yonder over the next hill I saw a right royal 
hart. His color is of green, and seven-score deer in a 
herd are grazing about him. Their antlers are so long 
and so sharp, master, that I durst not shoot, lest they 
should turn upon me and slay me.” 

“ Green ? ” asked the Sheriff. “ That must be a strange 




f 




174 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


sight. I would fain see that hart, ” and he started for- 
ward, quite forgetting that seven-score was the number 
of Eobin Hood’s men, and that green was their color. 
But it is not a Sheriff’s business to be either witty or 
wise. 

“Turn in this direction, my dear master,” said Little 
John, “and come quickly with me.” And so the Sheriff 
rode while John led him afoot. And ere long they came 
before Eobin Hood. 

“So, sir, here is the master hart,” said Little John; 
but the Sheriff stood stock still. A sorry man was he 
that he had not divined the hidden meaning of Little 
John’s words. “Eeynald Greenleaf,” said he, when he 
could command his voice, “thou hast betrayed me.” 
Whereat the whole band set up a shout, to hear him say 
what every one could understand for himself ; and Little 
John put on an air of mock humbleness as he replied : 
“ By my faith, master, it is ye who are to blame. I was 
denied my dinner when I stayed with you, and so I came 
where there is always food and drink for the hungry.” 

“Thank ye! Little John,” said Eobin Hood; “thou 
mindst me of my hospitality. My Lord Sheriff, since ye 
are come to my domain, stay and sup with me. I were 
an ill host if I gave you not to drink when ye have rid- 
den so far to visit me.” And he ordered the supper to 
be laid. 

Soon was the table set out with all the Sheriff’s silver, 
and the Sheriff sighed when he sat down and saw his own 
spoons and dishes, and he might not eat with the thought 


LITTLE JOHN BECOMES THE SHERIFF’S MAN 175 

how he had been deceived with his servant Greenleaf. 
But when he saw the cook from his own kitchen bending 
over the fire and preparing savory dishes, his heart was 
troubled within him, and he knew not where his men 
would be or whether he should have a castle’ to go to 
when he returned. So heavy was he in his mind that he 
could scarce taste the fat capons and the pheasant pies 
with which he was served, though Bobin Hood pressed 
him most courteously. 

“Make glad cheer,” quoth Bobin Hood. “Ye have 
naught to fear from me. You see that I have all your 
silver and a good sum of money into the bargain, and 
your own cook is preparing the meat. I will be satisfied 
for this time, and spare your life for the love of Little 
John.” Whereat the Sheriff’s brow gloomed still more 
darkly. 

When they had supped well and the daylight was 
gone, Bobin Hood commanded his men to prepare a bed 
for the night. “Little John,” said he, “do thou draw 
off the Sheriff’s great riding boots and his hose. Thou 
hast been in the service of my Lord, the Sheriff, and 
knowest the ways of the town. Lay aside his kirtle and 
the great furred mantle, and give him a gown of green 
to wrap himself in.” Then he commanded his stalwart 
young men that they should do the same, that the Sheriff 
might see how they slept. So all night long the proud 
Sheriff was forced to lie on the ground under the open 
sky, with only a green mantle to cover him, and you 
may judge whether his sides ached in the morning. 


176 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Gladly would lie have kept the thick furred robe with 
which he had ridden out, but he dared not utter protest. 
Only when Robin Hood asked him in the morning how 
he fared, he replied that this was a harder order than 
any monk or friar practised, and that he would not re- 
main longer for all the gold in England. Little did he 
think that Robin Hood would take up his words. “You 
shall remain a twelvemonth with me, proitd Sheriff, and 
I will teach you to be an outlaw. ” 

“Rather than be here another night , ” said the Sheriff, 
“smite off my head, and I will forgive thee. But let 
me go for Saint Charity, and I will be the best friend 
thou ever liadst. ” 

“Say you so? ” asked Robin Hood. “Then you shall 
swear me an oath by my bright sword, that you will 
never do me scathe, either by sea or land. And if you 
find any of my men you shall swear upon your oath to 
help them as you can. ” 

Gladly did the Sheriff swear the oath, and fast as he 
could go, he hasted back to his castle. 

So for that time Robin Hood had paid his score to 
the Sheriff, but the heart of the Sheriff was filled with 
anger and hatred, and he watched his time when he 
might break his oath and work Robin Hood some dire 
harm. 


ROBIN HOOD GETS HIS PAY FROM THE MONK 177 


CHAPTER XXII 

ROBIN HOOD GETS HIS PAY FROM THE MONK 

Xow the time was drawing near when the gentle 
knight, Sir Richard of Lea, should return to the trysting- 
tree with the money that Rohin Hood had lent him ; and 
when the year was nearly gone he caused a hundred 
sheaf of arrows to be made, notched all along the shaft 
with silver, burnished bright. Every arrow was an ell 
long, and adorned gayly with peacock’s feathers — not 
drooping low with long feathers, but keen and bright 
and good for shooting at the butts or to bring down a 
red deer in the woods. And a hundred bows of good 
tough yew he had made with stout cords that they should 
not break. Then he provided a hundred men to be his 
guard. Himself he clad in white and red, and he bore 
a launcegay in his hand, and a man behind him led the 
sumpter that carried the arrows and the bows. The 
money he bore himself in a bag before his saddle. 

So with light heart he rode toward Barnsdale to keep 
his day with Robin Hood ; but as he came by a bridge, 
he was aware of a great concourse of people in the 
meadows, and there was a wrestling. All the best men 
of the west country were there, and the prize was not a 
ram, as in a common match, but a white bull, and a 
courser, full eight hands high, with saddle and bridle 
burnished with gold ; and also a pair of gloves ; a ring 


178 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


of red gold ; and lastly, a pipe of wine with which to do 
honor to the company. Heralds had been to the East 
and the West, to the North and the South, crying that 
the man who bore him best at the wrestling should bear 
away the prize ; and men were gathered from far and 
near. 

But Sir Bichard marked how that a yeoman who had 
held his own against all wrestlers, and who had just 
thrown the last challenger, was set upon by all the rout, 
and was near slain. No friends he seemed to have, for 
all those who had contended with him were banded to- 
gether to work him evil. 

And the knight had pity upon the yeoman where he 
stood in his place and defended himself from his ene- 
mies, and he said to himself: “For the love of Bobin 
Hood, this yeoman shall receive no harm if I can succor 
him.” And he pressed into the meadows with all his 
hundred men. They bent their bows and laid their 
sharp arrows to the string, but the crowd elbowed one 
another, and fell back, and listened to know what he 
would say. 

“ Shame upon ye for cowards, ” shouted he. “ Has not 
this good yeoman outdone you all in the wrestling, and 
why do ye deny him his prize ? And why go ye about 
to compass his death ? ” And he bade the yeoman take 
his prize, and broach the wine, that all who so would 
might drink. And the wrestlers were ashamed. 

But so long had the knight tarried at the wrestling 
that it was nigh noon when he departed ; and so long 


ROBIN HOOD GETS HIS PAY FROM THE MONK 179 

had Eobin Hood to wait for his payment, for this was 
the day when the knight should bring back the four 
hundred pounds. 

Now on this same day Eobin Hood bethought himself 
of the knight, how he had pledged his word by the 
Blessed Virgin to return when his time was out and 
bring the four hundred pounds. And certainly the 
knight had not forgotten his pledge, but he had tarried 
long at the wrestling. 

So when noon came and there was no knight, Little 
John would have dined ; but Eobin Hood, who was mus- 
ing upon Sir Eichard and his pledge, said: “Nay, I 
doubt that Our Lady is wroth with me, for the knight 
returneth not, and she sendeth me not my pay. ” 

“Have no fear, master,” said Little John. “The sun 
is not yet to rest. I dare swear Sir Eichard is true and 
trusty. ” 

“ Perchance, ” said Eobin Hood ; “but I will not dine 
till I have some guest. Take thy bow in thy hand and 
let Will Scarlet and Midge go with thee. And do thou 
walk up past Sayles and so to Watling Street. There 
wait for some stranger, who may be my guest. If he be a 
messenger of the King or a man who knows songs and 
merry tales he shall have of my goods, if he be a poor 
man. It may hap that I have been neglectful of Saint 
Charity, and therefore our Blessed Lady is wroth with 
me.” 

So Little John and Will Scarlet and Midge departed, 
half angry that Eobin Hood should be so tender of con- 


180 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


science and should send them out on such an errand. 
They wore good broadswords under their mantles of 
green, and they went up to Sayles as they had done a 
year ago, and so through to Watling Street. And as a 
year ago, they looked east and west, and north and 
south, but at last under a hill by Barnsdale, they espied 
two monks in black garments, each riding a good pal- 
frey, and by them rode a guard of two and fifty men. 

“I dare be sworn, ” said Little John, “that these monks 
have brought our pay. Look to your bows. We must 
fight if they stand not readily, for here be two and fifty 
men, besides seven sumpters heavily laden. No bishop 
in the land rides so royally, I’ll be bound. Shame on 
them for their show and their pride. But we are but 
three to so many, and unless we bring them to dinner, 
we dare not return to our master.” 

So saying he made him ready for the fight, and 
watched them as they rode nearer. “By Our Lady,” 
said he, “there is the very monk that scorned my good 
knight, Sir Bichard of Lea, when he came to return his 
money to the abbot. For no good he travels, I warrant. 
Leave him to me. His life and death is closed in my 
hand.” And he grasped his bow and bent it to the 
arrow. 

“Stay, churl monk,” shouted he, and all three sprang 
out upon the road. “ See that thou go no step farther. 
If thou dost, by St. James, thy death is sure. Evil be- 
tide thee, too, for thou hast made our master wroth ; he 
is long fasting. ” 



Little John Counts the Monk’s Money (Page 186) 



182 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


He looked so tall and so fierce, and Will Scarlet and 
Midge were so threatening, that of all the guard not one 
remained save one little page and a groom. Even the 



second monk clapped spurs to his steed, and scampered 
away, and the great monk was left alone. 

“ Who is thy master? ” asked the monk. 


ROBIN HOOD GETS HIS PAY FROM THE MONK 183 

“Robin Hood,” replied Little John. 

“Curse upon him for a strong thief and a robber,” said 
the monk. “What wantest thou of me!” 

“Thou Best,” cried Little John. “He is yeoman of 
the forest, and has bidden thee to dinner;” and just 
then Midge turned his bow against the monk’s breast, 
and he dismounted in haste. 

Of all the guard there were only the page and a groom 
to lead the sumpters into the greenwood, but in spite of 
themselves they were brought to the lodge door. When 
Robin Hood saw the monk, courteously he took off his 
hood as to a guest and a man of reverence; but the monk 
was not so well-mannered. He let be his hood, and 
looked sourly upon his host. 

“He is a churl,” whispered Little John to Robin Hood. 

“Pay no heed,” answered his master. “He has no 
breeding, and knows not the demands of courtesy. But 
how comes he alone? Were there no more with him? ” 

“Two and fifty,” replied Little John; “but they are 
all fled.” 

“Blow the horn,” then said Robin Hood. “Let our 
band know of our guest, and let him see what our com- 
pany is.” Straightway appeared seven-score young 
men, bravely clad in white and red, and making a bril- 
liant showing under the sombre trees. 

Then they made the monk to wash and wipe, and they 
all sat down to dinner, while Robin Hood and Little 
John served the monk with their own hands. “Eat 
merrily,” said Robin Hood, and he pressed the monk to 


184 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


take of the best on the table. “Gramercy ! ” replied tlie 
monk, and be fell to eating without another word. 

“Where is your abbey? ” asked Eobin Hood politely, 
wishing to make conversation. 

“St. Mary’s Abbey,” growled the monk. 

“Say yon so?” said Eobin Hood, nothing abashed that 
the monk was so churlish; “and what is thy office? ” 

“Chief cellarer,” answered the monk, and made as 
though he had said enough. 

“Thou art the more welcome,” said Eobin Hood. 
“Fill from the best wine,” he commanded. “ The monk 
shall drink to me ; ” and seeing that the monk would not 
respond, but continued to gobble down his dinner as fast 
as he could, he turned to Little John. 

“I fear Our Lady is wroth with me,” he said. “Still 
she sends me not my pay, and the knight comes not. ” 

“Have no doubt,” replied Little John; “ye have no 
need. This monk has brought it, I dare well swear. 
He is of her abbey. ” 

Now if the monk would not talk yet he could listen, 
and Eobin Hood observed him to change color at these 
words. Indeed, he was that very day on a journey to 
London to Westminster court. The Abbot had at last 
sent his high cellarer up to London, determined to get 
the lands of Sir Eichard of Lea by foul means since he 
could not by fair, and the monk had at that very time 
nigh a thousand pounds with which to pay the lawyers 
and to bribe the judges. “For,” said the Abbot, “if I 
have once the lands in my possession, the abbey cau 


ROBIN HOOD GETS HIS PAY FROM THE MONK 185 

make what rents she will for them, and a thousand 
pounds more or less by way of fees and presents were 
well spent.” 

On the hint which Little John gave, Eobin Hood 
turned to the monk. “I lent a little money to a knight, 
here under the greenwood tree,” he said, “and he swore 
by St. Mary to return with it to-day. If thou hast 
brought the silver, I pray thee let me see it. ” But the 
monk swore with a mighty oath that he had never heard 
of such a knight and his pledge of St. Mary. 

“Thou art to blame,” said Eobin Hood. “Didst thou 
not tell me with thine own tongue that thou art her 
servant and serve her every day ? Surely thou art made 
her messenger. The Blessed Virgin would never let a 
knight be put to shame for his trust in her. What 
hast thou in thy coffers^ ” 

“Sir,” answered the monk, “there are twenty marks. 
As I hope to prosper I tell thee true.” 

“If there be no more,” said Eobin Hood, “I will not 
touch a penny ; and if thou hast need of more, I will 
lend it thee. But if I find thou hast more, truly thou 
shalt lose it.” And he commanded Little John to search 
the coffers. 

So Little John spread out his mantle, and soon had he 
told out eight hundred pounds and more ; and as was his 
wont, he let it lie quietly there and went to his master 
in haste. 

“See,” said he, “the monk is a true payman. Our 
Lady hath doubled your venture.” 


186 


THE TALE OF EOBIN HOOD 


“Now by my halidom,” exclaimed Eobin Hood, “Our 
Lady is the best sponsor that ever I knew. Search Eng- 
land through and thou wilt not find a better. Fill the 
goblets, and give the monk to drink, and if Our Lady of 
the Abbey ever have need of Eobin Hood she shall find 
him a friend. Or if she have need of any more silver, 
come thou again to me, and she shall have thrice the 
sum, by this token. But what was in thy thoughts, Sir 
Monk, to travel with all this silver on the highroad? 
Bear in mind that our reeves and sheriffs do much wrong 
by the way. Thou shouldst reckon with them ere thou 
start on a journey. Little John,” continued he, “thou 
art a good yeoman to search a monk 7 s bags. What think 
you is in the other coffer? ” 

“Hold there! ” cried the monk. “By Our Lady, that 
were no courtesy to bid a man to dinner and then beat 
and bind him, for thou might’st as well beat and bind 
me, if thou deprivest me of the means to continue my 
journey.” 

“It is our custom,” replied Eobin Hood, “to leave 
little behind. ” But the monk had hastily mounted his 
horse with the other bag and was making off. Eobin 
Hood bade him drink again before he rode farther, but 
he cried out, “Nay, by my faith; I repent me that I ever 
came so near. I will not stay longer with such bold 
thieves,” and he clapped spurs to his horse and galloped 
away. “ Greet well your abbot and your prior, ” shouted 
Eobin Hood ere he was out of hearing; “and bid him 
send me such a monk to dinner every day. ” 




188 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Not long after tlie monk had departed, the gentle 
knight rode into the greenwood, and soon found Eobin 
Hood at the trysting-tree. He had tarried so long at the 
wrestling that it was near four by the clock and the sun 
was far descended toward the west, but hastily he 
alighted from his good steed and courteously he dotted 
his hood to Eobin Hood and bent his knee in greeting. 

“ A fair day to thee and all thy company,” said he. 

“ Welcome, Sir Knight, ” replied Eobin Hood. “ Eight 
welcome thou art to me. But what driveth thee to the 
greenwood? Tell me, I prithee. Hast thou thy land 
again? Tell me truly? ” 

“Yea,” said the knight. “I thank God and thee. 
But take it not ill that I have tarried so long in the com- 
ing. I passed by a wrestling, and there was a brave 
yeoman who had borne himself with honor, and should 
rightfully have had the prize ; but he was set upon by 
all the champions and wrongfully abused. I stayed to 
succor him and free him from his foes.” 

“Kay, Sir Knight, ” answered Eobin Hood, “thou didst 
well. What man soever helpeth a poor yeoman, that 
man shall be my friend — still more, a knight like thee, 
whom I have made already my friend ; ” and he ordered 
meat and drink to be served to the knight. 

“Here is thy four hundred pounds,” said the knight 
when he had satisfied his hunger ; “ and here are twenty 
marks over and above for thy courtesy. Truly I can 
never repay thee in money, for thou didst bestead me in 
my sorest need.” 


ROBIN HOOD GETS HIS PAY FROM THE MONK 189 

“Kay,” replied Robin Hood, “keep your money. Our 
Lady bath sent me the pay by her high cellarer. But 
truly thou art welcome to me in friendship.” Then he 
told how the monk had brought him twice the sum, and 
he laughed merrily. 

But the knight was not willing to take it so. “In 
good sooth,” said he, “here is your money ready;” but 
Robin would none of it. “Take it and use it thyself, ” 
he insisted. “But what are these bows and these fine 
arrows all inlaid with silver? Methinks I did never see 
a prettier show. ” 

“ They are for a poor present to thee, ” answered the 
knight. 

“By my halidom,” quoth Robin Hood, “such kind- 
ness doth merit a return. Go to my treasury, Little 
John, and bring out the four hundred pounds that the 
monk overpaid me. ” For Robin Hood was a free man 
and a generous, and he would not that any one should 
outgo him in bounteousness. “ Here, take thou this, gen- 
tle Sir Knight, and buy horse and harness and gild thy 
spurs, and if thou lack in anything come to Robin Hood, 
and by my troth I will not fail thee. ” 

So the knight took horse again, and with his hundred 
guardsmen rode away, praying that he might sometimes 
have it in his power to repay Robin Hood for all his 
kindness; and indeed it was not long ere the chance 
came to him. 


190 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


CHAPTER XXIII 

THE SHOOTING MATCH AT NOTTINGHAM 

All this while the Sheriff was considering within him- 
self how he might compass the destruction of Robin 
Hood, and at last he determined to have a great shooting 
match, and have it cried throughout the land. “ Perad- 
venture,” said he to himself, “ Robin Hood will come to 
contend for the prize, and then I ydll lay hands on him, 
and if I once get him into my dungeon he shall not es- 
cape me again. ” 

So he arranged a famous shooting, and sent out her- 
alds to summon all the best archers of the North to come 
on a certain day. A pair of fine butts were set up under 
a noble tree in the meadow outside the town ; and the 
prize was to be a costly arrow. The shaft was of pure 
silver, and the head and feathers of rich red gold. Such 
an arrow was never seen in England before. And he 
gave notice that whoever should shoot the best, be he 
high or low, knight or yeoman or hind, he should bear 
away the prize. He well knew that Robin Hood ac- 
counted himself the best marksman in the North country 
and would be loath to forego the prize. 

Nor was he wrong in his thought. No sooner had 
Robin Hood heard of the contest than he commanded 
his brave young men to make them ready and accom- 
pany him to the shooting. “That shooting will I see,” 



The Flight to the Knight’s Castle (Page 196) 



192 THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 

quoth he ; “ and we will know if the Sheriff be true to 
his oath which he sware to me under this tree.” 

So they bent their bows and looked to the feathers of 
their arrows. Seven-score of them stood by Eobin Hood 
as he walked into Nottingham, and a fine sight they 
made. 

But there was many another good marksman there; 
from as far as the North Riding of Yorkshire they came, 
and from Lancashire. And many a one had carried off 
his prize in former matches. There were so many that 
Eobin Hood forbade all his men to shoot, for there 
would not be time in a long summer’s day if every one 
had his turn. Moreover, though all Eobin Hood’s men 
could bend a bow and shoot a deer at need, yet few of 
them were famous for their skill. Arthur a-Bland, in 
spite of all the instruction of Little John, had never 
made himself sure at a mark, though he was stalwart 
and could make his quarter-staff hum about his head ; 
and the jolly Pinder was often put to shame by little 
Midge or even Will Stutely, so that there was small use 
in their contending against Eobin Hood and Little John, 
and all the best archers of the country. 

Therefore Eobin Hood bade but six of them enter the 
contest, and commanded the rest to be near at hand to 
see that there was no foul play. “For,” said he, “I 
doubt the Sheriff may repent of his oath to me, and we 
may have some hard fighting ere the day is done, more 
especially since we must not seem suspicious, but must 
come armed for peace and not for bloodshed. ” Then he 


THE SHOOTING MATCH AT NOTTINGHAM 193 

chose Little John and Scarlet and Midge and Will State- 
ly ; and the Sheriff’s cook begged so hard to be allowed 
to take his place with the others that Eobin Hood gave 
his consent ; albeit the cook had not been with them a 
long time, and had not great practice in shooting. 

So they all drew cuts for the turn, and not till four 
and twenty strangers had shot did one of the outlaws 
have a chance at the butts. Then it came Scarlet’s turn, 
and by and by Little John and Gilbert, the cook, shot, 
and fourth of the band was Eobin Hood. 

All this while the Sheriff stood by the butts, and ex- 
amined each archer to know if he might see Eobin Hood 
among the number, and when Eobin Hood’s turn came 
he stepped up so graceful and debonair with his feather 
waving jauntily in his cap that the Sheriff knew him as 
soon as he caught sight of him. He saluted the Sheriff 
gravely and in seemly fashion and then raised his bow ; 
and after a careful aim shot off his arrow. 

There was a shout from all the bystanders, for the ar- 
row had split the wand, and none before had shot so 
true. Little John had grazed it with his arrow, and 
Scarlet had come within half a finger’s length ; but a 
miss is as good as a mile when one is shooting against 
such a marksman as Eobin Hood; and few of the 
strangers had done even so well as that. 

Three times round they shot, and every time Eobin 
Hood cleaved the wand, and every time, though there 
was some good shooting, no one did quite so well as he. 

All this time the Sheriff looked on with a smile on 


194 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


his face, but black treason in his heart. Gladly would 
he have given the prize to Thomas of Scrooby, a man 
after his own kind, and a friend. But Thomas had 
come no nearer than a finger’s breadth from the wand, 
and the people took no note of him. The silver arrow 
clearly belonged to Bobin Hood, and all the company 
shouted in loud acclaim when he sped the last shot and 
split the wand a third time. 

So with rather a bad grace, if the truth must be told, 
the Sheriff delivered the arrow with the silver shaft and 
the golden tip to Bobin Hood, and Bobin Hood thanked 
him courteously, and was making away out of the press 
to the greenwood, when the Sheriff gave a signal, and all 
the King’s foresters whom he had gathered about him, 
and who were the enemies of Bobin Hood from the time 
he had first slain one of their number, and had become 
an outlaw — all of them lifted their bows to their ears and 
began to shoot. 

The crowd scattered in a minute, and the strangers 
knew not what to make of the attack ; but when the 
Sheriff told them that it was the famous outlaw Bobin 
Hood who had won the prize and that he wished at last 
to capture him and put an end to his killing the King’s 
deer, many of them joined the hue and cry after Bobin 
Hood. 

Hot work there was then for Bobin and his men, and 
glad they were that they had come forewarned. “Woe 
be to thee,” cried Bobin Hood, as he escaped among his 
band of men, “woe be to thee for such a welcome to thy 


THE SHOOTING MATCH AT NOTTINGHAM 195 


guest. Not thus didst thou promise me yonder in the 


1 orest, and if I had thee now under my trysting-tree, 



thou shouldst 
leave me a better 
pledge than thy 
bounden word.” 

But longer he 
tarried not. 

Many a bow was 
bent that day, and 
many an arrow 
shot from the 
string ; and many 
a kirtle was torn 
and rent, and 
many a man fell, 
with his side 
pierced with the 
biting barb. But 
the outlaws were 
too clever for 
their enemies. 

Every arrow of 
theirs told, while in the hurry and confusion no one in 
the Sheriff’s party took careful aim. It was not long 
ere the foresters and all the press were fleeing to the 
town as fast as legs could carry them; while Bobin 
Hood’s band stood whole and sound — all except Little 
John. A parting shot of Thomas of Scrooby’s pierced 


196 


THE TALE OF KOBIN HOOD 


his knee, and tlie wound pained him so much that he 
was near fainting. He could not walk, neither could he 
ride a horse which was brought to him, and his comrades 
knew not what to do. 

“Master,” said Little John, “as thou lovest me, or if I 
have ever done thee service, let not that proud Sheriff 
find me alive. Save thyself, for he will soon return with 
armed men, and we may not always escape, but I can 
neither walk nor ride. Take out thy bright sword, and 
smite off my head, or give me a deep wound, that I may 
not live, for I will never lie here to be taken by that 
proud Sheriff. ” 

“Nay,” said Bobin Hood, “I would not have thee 
slain, John, for all the gold in England, though it lay at 
my feet.” 

And Little Midge said, “ God forbid that thou shouldst 
be parted from our company;” and he took him on his 
back and bore him a good mile. 

Many a time he had to lay down his burden and use 
his good bow, for the Sheriff’s men had sallied forth 
when they saw them retreating, and pursued them at a 
distance, shooting from behind trees, or advancing near 
enough for a good shot, and then running away again 
for safety. But when they had gone a mile they came 
to a fair castle in a little wood. Well guarded was it 
by a moat and a double ditch, and near the road. 

And the knight of the castle, seeing a band of men 
coming, and in the distance the King’s foresters and the 
Sheriff, opened his gate and went out to see what was the 


THE SHOOTING MATCH AT NOTTINGHAM 197 

matter ; and lo ! it was Sir Richard of Lea, the same that 
Robin Hood had befriended under the greenwood tree, 
and to whom he had given four hundred pounds. 

Great joy did he feel to be able to do a kindness to 



Robin Hood, and he greeted him well, and all his men ; 
and he commanded Little John to be borne into his 
lady’s bower to be tended by her. 


198 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“ I love no man in the world so much as I love thee, 
Eobin Hood,” quoth he, “and thou shalt be made com- 
fortable here, for all the proud Sheriff. Shut the gates 
and draw up the bridge, and let no man enter.” And 
he gave orders to his men to arm the walls and prepare 
for an attack. 

“ I promise thee, Eobin Hood, I swear by St. Quentin 
thou shalt stay forty days with me, and feast and be 
merry.” And he commanded the board to be laid and 
the cloth to be spread, and soon Eobin Hood and all his 
men were gayly supping with Sir Eichard. 


CHAPTEE XXIY 

ROBIN HOOD KILLS THE SHERIFF AND FREES SIR 
RICHARD OF LEA 

Now in the mean while the Sheriff had reached the cas- 
tle and placed his men all about the walls and made a 
great show of besieging the castle. Then he. summoned 
the knight to a parley, and when Sir Eichard had ap- 
peared on the walls the Sheriff cried out to him : “ Thou 
traitor knight! Knowest thou that thou art keeping 
here the King’s enemies, against law and justice? ” 

“Make yourself easy,” replied Sir Eichard; “I will 
make good what I have done here, and will maintain it 
with all the lands I have, as I am a true knight. Go 
back to your town, and do no more to me, till you know 
the King’s will, and what he will say to me.” 


ROBIN HOOD KILLS THE SHERIFF 199 

So the Sheriff had his answer and he could not gainsay 
it. “Well and good,” shouted he to Sir Richard in a 
rage, “I will tell the King and it shall be the worse for 



thee. I will make him judge betwixt me and thee.” 
Then he turned on his heel, and the next morning he 
went straightway to London to tell the King. And 
you may be sure that he spared not to make the fault 
of Sir Richard of Lea and Robin Hood appear bigger 


200 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


than it was, and to magnify his own loyalty and zeal 
in the King’s cause. He told the King how Kobin Hood 
had killed a forester, — but that was many years agone, 
— and how he lived in the forest as an outlaw, and 
destroyed all the game, and every day gathered to him- 
self the best young men of the country ; and he made it 
appear that at the shooting match Kobin Hood and all 
his band had attacked him and the assembled company, 
and if it had not been for the bravery of the foresters 
and his own presence of mind, that they would all have 
been shot down, and Kobin Hood would have taken pos- 
session of the town of Nottingham. All of which was 
an arrant lie ; but how was the King to know that he 
could not trust his own officer? 

Then he told how Sir Kichard of Lea had befriended 
Kobin Hood and taken him and his seven-score men into 
his castle, and vowed that he would maintain his right 
to shelter the outlaws with all his power ; and he added : 
“The varlet will soon be lord of all the North country 
and set thee, his liege King, at naught. ” This also was 
a lie, but the King knew it not, and he grew wondrous 
angry, and said: “I will come down to Nottingham 
within this fortnight, and I will seize Kobin Hood and 
this baleful knight. Go home now, and do as I bid thee. 
Do thou summon all the good archers in the country, and 
prepare them against my coming, for we shall have need 
of them.” 

Then the Sheriff took his leave and went home well 
satisfied that at last he should get Kobin Hood into his 



The Band Shoot Before the King ( 214 ) 


202 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


power and wreak his vengeance upon him. But again 
he had reckoned without his host ; for while he was gone, 
forty days had passed, and Robin Hood had gone back 
to the greenwood. Even Little John had recovered from 
his hurt and had followed his master the very day that 
the Sheriff came back to Nottingham. 

The Sheriff made great boast of how he was going to 
pay his reckoning to Robin Hood, and was collecting 
from far and near all the best archers in the land, when 
word was brought that Robin Hood had been seen in 
Barnsdale fifty miles away, and that all his men were 
probably with him, for a monk had been robbed on the 
highway, and the foresters had seen a herd of deer gal- 
loping away without a leader, and they knew that Robin 
Hood’s men must have shot the great stag. 

This was evil news for the Sheriff, but none the less he 
lay in wait for Sir Richard. Night and day he watched 
for him, and one day when he was out hawking by the 
riverside, he took him despite of their compact to abide 
by the King’s commands, and carried him away to 
Nottingham bound hand and foot, to await the King’s 
coming. The Sheriff swore a great oath that he would 
give a hundred pounds it had been Robin Hood, and all 
the more in his ill -humor did he maltreat the poor 
knight, so that men said he would slay him even before 
the King should come. 

News was brought to Sir Richard’s lady that he was 
taken, and she was sore troubled and took counsel with 
herself what she might do to save her lord’s life. “The 


ROBIN HOOD KILLS THE SHERIFF 


203 


best friend my lord ever had, ” said she to herself, “is 
Robin Hood. I will see what he can do.” Then she 
commanded her good palfrey to be saddled, and alone 



she rode into the forest ; and when she came to the tryst- 
ing-tree she found Robin Hood and all his company. 
Much astonished they were, you may be sure, to see a 
fair lady come riding alone into the forest, and great 




204 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


was their amazement when they saw that it was the good 
lady of Sir Eichard of Lea. 

They all doffed their caps in reverence to the lady, 
and Bobin Hood begged to know for what purpose she 
had ridden all alone so far. 

“God save thee, good Robin Hood,” said the noble 
dame, “and all thy company. For Our Dear Lady’s 
sake grant me a boon. The proud Sheriff of Notting- 
ham has waylaid my lord while he was hawking by the 
riverside, and is carrying him away. Let him not be 
slain. I fear me he will work him evil, for he swore a 
great oath that he had rather a hundred pounds it had 
been you, and I fear me he will slay my lord in very 
despite.” 

“Certes,” said Robin Hood. “I will free him if I 
may. But is he already in Nottingham? Tell me where 
he doth lie.” 

“Not three miles away had the Sheriff gone toward his 
great castle,” answered the gentle lady, “when I took 
my palfrey to ride to thee. ” 

Then up sprang Robin Hood like a madman. “ Three 
miles the start ! ” shouted he. “Make ready, my men. 
By St. Richard, the man who takes not heed of this sor- 
row, he shall never abide in the greenwood with me. ” Nor 
many minutes was it ere their bows were ready and each 
had a sheaf of choice arrows in his belt. They stopped 
for neither ditch nor hedge. “ By the heavens, ” said 
Robin Hood, “but I would fain catch that Sheriff. If I 
once take him, I will requite him for all his mischief. ” 


ROBIN HOOD KILLS THE SHERIFF 205 

’Twas a long road to Nottingham, hut they reached 
it betimes and paced the streets in search of the Sheriff. 
No one could give them tidings of him, for, in truth, he 
had not yet come back. Having got Sir Eichard safe in 
his own keeping, he thought not there was need of haste. 
Who would think that Eobin Hood could have heard of 
the capture, or that he would come so quickly for any 
summons? It was but the other day that he was at 
Barnsdale fifty miles away, and what should bring him 
back so soon? There were more deer at Barnsdale than 
in Sherwood, and Eobin Hood might sojourn there for 
many a day. 

So the Sheriff came riding slowly and in royal fashion 
in at Nottingham gate. His horse was gayly caparisoned 
and his gilt spurs shone in the sunlight. The fine fur 
robe that he wore hung down the horse’s flanks, and he 
curbed his steed to a stately step as he entered the town 
at the head of his yeomen. Just behind him came Sir 
Eichard, and a sorry sight he made. His blue mantle 
was all torn and muddied, where he had fallen while 
defending himself; and his hunting horn which was 
beautifully ornamented with silver had been battered 
and banged. His hands were bound behind his back 
like a common thief’s, and his feet were strongly tied 
under the horse’s belly. It was a shameful sight, and 
Eobin Hood’s gorge rose within him as he beheld it. 

“Ho, there! proud Sheriff,” shouted he. “Hold, and 
speak with me. I would fain hear tidings of our King. 
Thou didst promise to visit him and make known our 


206 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


quarrel to him, and now thou takest Sir Richard of Lea 
a prisoner, foully and without warning. This seven 
years I have not run so fast, I swear to thee, as I have 
come from the greenwood to seek thee, and I promise 
thee it is not for thy good.” 

So saying, he bent his good strong bow and shot the 
Sheriff through the body. Down fell the Sheriff upon 
the ground. All his fine clothes did him no good in 
that hour, and all his guards scattered to the winds. 
Ere he could rise or cry out Robin Rood snatched his 
sword from the scabbard and cut off his head. And 
there was an end to all the trouble that the Sheriff 
could give to Robin Hood or Sir Richard with his trait- 
orous deeds. 

“Lie there, thou evil Sheriff,” said Robin Hood. “No 
man might trust thee while thou wert in life. Now thou 
art dead and can keep thy tryst where thou wilt and 
when. ” 

Then he ran to the noble knight and cut in two his 
bands and put a trusty bow in his hands. “Leave thy 
horse behind, ” said he, “ and learn to run for once. Thou 
shalt go with me to the greenwood, through mire and 
moss and fen, and there thou must shift till I have got a, 
grace from Edward, our comely King.” 

So his men drew their bright swords and cut their 
way through the press that had assembled to see what 
was going on ; and straight they made for the trysting- 
tree. 

But Sir Richard’s lady had ridden home, and there 


THE KING VISITS ROBIN HOOD 


207 


she must abide alone till the King should come down 
and pardon her lord, if so be that he was not too angry 
by reason of his Sheriff’s death. 


CHAPTER XXV 

THE KING VISITS ROBIN HOOD UNDER THE TRYSTING- 
TREE 

Now it was not many days ere the King came to Not- 
tingham, with purpose to take Robin Hood and the 
knight, that he might try their cause himself. He came 
with great array of horsemen and sumpters, and as he 
rode he inquired on the way of Robin Hood and Sir 
Richard of Lea ; and when it was told him how Robin 
Hood was in the greenwood, and how he had rescued the 
gentle knight, the King was troubled in his mind, and 
said to himself : “ The Sheriff hath not summoned the 
best archers in the country as I bade him, else had 
Robin Hood not been able to effect a rescue. But when 
he learned how Robin Hood had entered Nottingham 
and defied the Sheriff, and how he had killed him and 
shamefully cut off his head, then was he exceeding 
wroth. 

“By my halidom,” said he, “he shall not escape 
punishment for this.” Then he laid hold on all the 
knight’s lands, and abode there for three weeks. Then 
he left the castle in charge of his Chief Seneschal, and he 
himself went a progress through all Lancashire, for he 


208 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


took great delight in hunting, and he fain would visit 
his royal forests and look to his deer and his game. 

But through all the borders of Lancashire he could 
scarce see a stag or a buck. Where he had been used to 
find whole herds bounding away on his approach, there 
was now hardly a deer with well-grown antlers; and 
he was more wroth than he had been at the killing of 
his Sheriff. And when he heard that it was Robin 
Hood and his men who made all this havoc, he swore by 
yea and nay that he must have that outlaw. 

“ Would I might see him,” said he, “with my two 
eyes ; and if any man will smite off the head of that 
false knight, Sir Richard of Lea, he shall have k the 
knight’s lands. I will give him a charter sealed with 
my own hand, and he shall have and hold them forever.” 

But a certain knight spoke up. He was an old knight 
with silver hair, and he had ever been true and loyal. 
“My liege lord,” said he, “let me say one word. There 
is no man in all Merry England who can hold these lands 
while Robin Hood can ride or walk, or bear a bow in his 
hand. Let him try, and he will soon lose his head, and 
then what good will the lands do him % Give them to no 
man, my lord King, to whom you will do any good. ” 

Then the King was sore puzzled what he might do. 
Half a year he dwelt in Nottingham, and he could hear 
no tidings of Robin Hood. None knew where he was, 
but every day the deer disappeared, and every day the 
King grew more angry. 

At last a forester spoke up. “ My liege lord, ” said he. 


V 



1 



210 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


u if ye will do after my counsel, ye shall soon see Eobin 
Hood. Take five of your best knights and go down to 
yonder abbey, and get you monks 7 garments. I will lead 
you round through the greenwood, and ere ye come again 
to Nottingham I dare lay my head that you will see 
Eobin Hood, if he be alive. 77 

No sooner said than done. Full hastily King Edward 
and his knights rode to the abbey, and there they pro- 
cured them monks 7 habits. A great cowl and broad hat 
did the King put on, and he rode like an abbot, clad in 
stiff boots and with the monks of his convent clothed in 
gray behind him. At a little distance followed his horse 
with his portmanteau, and the other sumpters ; and they 
all rode merrily along as if there was no care on their 
minds, or as if they had not a thought of Eobin Hood. 

But they had not gone a mile in the greenwood by one 
of the by-paths that lead to Watling Street, when they 
met Eobin Hood face to face, standing in the path with 
four and twenty archers at his back. 

Then, as was his wont, Eobin Hood laid hold of the 
horse 7 s bridle, and said: “Sir Abbot, by your leave, ye 
must abide a while with me. We be men who live in 
the greenwood, with no soft couches to lie on, and our 
food is the King’s deer. But ye have churches and 
lands and rents, soft raiment for your bodies, and gold 
in great plenty. Give us some of your spending money 
for blessed charity . 77 

Then spake the comely King Edward : “ I brought no 
more than forty pounds with me. I have lain this fort- 



The King Feeds Robin Hood (Page 215) 


212 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


night in Nottingham with our King, and have spent much 
money on gifts and feastings. Now I have but forty 
pounds, but if I had a hundred I would give it thee.” 

“ Gramercy , 99 said Robin Hood. And he took the forty 
pounds and divided it into two portions ; half he gave to 
his merry men, and half he returned full courteously to 
the King. “Sir,” said he, “I were loath to take all thy 
money. Have this for thy spending, and may Our Dear 
Lady reward thee.” 

“Thou art a gentle outlaw,” answered the King; “and 
Edward our King greets thee well. He has sent his seal 
to thee, and bids thee come to Nottingham to eat and 
drink with him. ” 

Then he took out his broad seal and showed it to Robin 
Hood. And Robin Hood knew what was due to the 
King’s royal seal, and he kneeled down before it and 
took off his hood. “I do love and honor no man in all 
the world as I do our comely King,” said he. “Wel- 
come is his seal to me, and, Sir Abbot, for thy errand 
and thy courtesy, thou shalt dine with me to-day under 
my trysting-tree.” 

Then he led forth the noble King, and many a deer 
that day was slain and prepared in haste for the dining. 
And Robin Hood took his horn and blew a great blast, 
and seven-score brave young men came running in haste 
and kneeled down before Robin Hood ; and he told them 
that they should have a great feasting that day, for the 
King’s messenger was with him and had brought the 
King’s seal, and they should do him honor. 


THE KING VISITS ROBIN HOOD 


213 


But the King thought to himself: “By St. Austin, this 
is a wondrous seemly sight. Methinks his men are more 
at his bidding than my men are at mine ; ” and all the 
anger went out of his heart, and he wished that he might 
bring Bobin Hood to London to live near him. 

Full hastily was dinner made ready, and when they 
had sat down Bobin Hood and Little John served the 
King right royally. Fat venison they set before him and 
good white bread. Then they offered him red wine and 
foaming brown ale. “Make good cheer, Sir Abbot,” 
said Bobin Hood, “and blessed may thou be for thy 
tidings of our King, and when thou hast finished dinner 
thou shalt see what life we lead before thou goest hence, 
so that thou mayst inform our comely Kjng when ye 
are together.” 

Then as the King ate, the merrymen sang this song : 

Cho. The hunt is up, the hunt is up, 

Sing merrily we, the hunt is up. 

The birds they sing, 

The deer they fling, 

Hey, nony, nony — no; 

The hounds they cry, 

The hunters they fly, 

Hey, trolilo, trololilo. 

Cho. The hunt is up, the hunt is up, etc. 

The wood resounds, 

To hear the hounds, 

Hey, nony, nony — no; 


214 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


The rocks report 
This merry sport, 

Hey, trolilo, trololilo. 

Cho. The hunt is up, etc. 

Then hie apace, 

Unto the chase, 

Hey, nony, nony — no; 

Whilst every thing 
Doth sweetly sing, 

Hey trolilo, trololilo. 

Then when the dinner was finished and the cloth had 
been removed and the board laid by, they all started up 
and bent their good bows. The King was never so sore 
aghast in his life. “Surely,” he thought, “they will set 
upon me, and there are seven score of them. ” But they 
set up the wands and paced off the distance. 

Fifty paces too long the King said it was. “Ko one 
can shoot true at such a distance. ” Then they placed 
garlands on the wands, and Bobin Hood declared that 
every one who did not hit the garland should lose his 
tackle and forfeit it to his master, be it never so fine and 
precious an arrow, and that he should receive likewise 
a buffet on the head. 

So they shot all in turn, and who so yielded to Bobin 
Hood, he smote them wondrous sorely, for he would that 
they should learn to shoot better. Twice they shot 
about, and each time Bobin Hood split the wand ; so did 
Little John and Scarlet and Gilbert the cook, who had 
improved mightily with the bow and arrow since he left 


THE KING VISITS ROBIN HOOD 215 

the Sheriff’s service, though they still called him White 
Hands because he had lived so long in town that his skin 
was not yet so brown as theirs. 

Every time one of his men failed, Eobin gave him a 
good buffet, but the third time, whether it was by chance 
or because he had given so many buffets that his arm 
was no longer steady, — whatever might be the cause, — 
he failed of the mark by three fingers and more. 

Then up spake Gilbert of the White Hands. “ Mas- 
ter, thou hast lost thy tackle ; stand forth and take thy 
pay.” 

“If it be so,” replied Eobin Hood, “I will deliver my 
arrow, Sir Abbot, to thee, and I pray thee serve me the 
buffet.” 

“It accordeth not with my order,” said the King, “to 
smite any good yeoman, lest I should do him harm. I 
pray thee excuse me.” 

“Smite on boldly,” said Eobin Hood. “I trow thou 
canst not hurt me, but I give thee leave to try.” With 
that the King rolled up his sleeve, and such a buffet he 
gave that Eobin Hood fell to the ground. 

“I will take oath,” said he, “that thou art a stalwart 
friar. There is pith in thy arm. I trow thou canst 
shoot well. I did think there was no man in Merry 
England could fell me to the ground, unless it were our 
comely King.” Then he looked him more narrowly in 
the face. “By my troth, but thou art the King him- 
self;” and he sank down on his knee. So did Little 
John and all the outlaws; and Sir Eichard of Lea, who 


216 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


before had stood one side and took no heed of the abbot, 
he turned and knew the monk for King Edward. And 
he did him reverence as his duty was. 

“My lord King of England,” said Kobin Hood, “now 
I know you right well.” 

“Show thy loyalty,” then said the King, “and save my 
men and me who are in your power under your trysting- 
tree.” 

“Yea, by St. Mary,” answered Kobin Hood. “Am 
I not thy host, and thy loyal subject to boot? And I 
ask mercy for my men and me, that are driven to the 
greenwood. ” 

“Yea,” said the King, “thereto I assent, if thou wilt 
leave the greenwood and thy company and come with 
me to my court. I would right gladly have such men to 
dwell about me. ” 

“Eight so shall it be,” said Robin Hood. “I will 
come with thee if so be that I may have Little John and 
a few of my followers.” 

And the King was well content that Kobin Hood 
should be willing to go with him, and he said : “ I were 
an ill King if I should deprive thee of thy friends. 
Bring with thee whom thou wilt.” 


ROBIN HOOD GOES TO LONDON 


£17 


CHAPTER XXVI 

ROBIN HOOD GOES TO LONDON, BUT RETURNS AT THE 
END OF A YEAR 

The King was so well pleased witli tlie life in the 
greenwood, that he said to Robin Hood: “Hast thou any 
green cloth that thou wilt sell me? We would join thy 
band for the nonce and become outlaws with thee. ” 

t‘Yea, by my faith, ” said Robin Hood; “thirty yards 
and three will I give thee. Else were I a shrew, for I 
trow thou wilt clothe me against the Yuletide when I 
dwell with thee.” 

Then the King did off his cowl and his broad hat, and 
his men cast aside their gray garments, and soon were 
they clothed in Lincoln green, the finest in England. 
And Robin gave each one a feather for his cap and a 
bow with a sheaf of arrows. 

“Xowwill we goto Nottingham,” said the King, “and 
show the good people what a brave outlaw I have be- 
come.” So they all journeyed to the town. The King 
and his train, and Robin Hood with his seven-score 
men. And ever as they went they shot for buffets as 
they had in the greenwood, and ever the King came short 
of the mark and won a blow from Robin Hood, who re- 
paid him in good earnest for the buffet he had received 
erewhile. But the King took it all in good part, and 
laughed as he said: “Thy game is not to be learned. 


218 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


Thou hast a way with thy shooting that passes all that 
-ever I saw. I should not get a shot on thee, though I 
shot all the year.” 

So they rode on, and the people of Nottingham saw 
them coming, and the wdiole field was covered with green 
jackets. Nothing could they see but green over all the 
meadow, and they began to be afraid. “I dread our 
King be slain,” said one to another under his breath. 
“If Robin should come into the town he will not leave 
one of us alive.” And full hastily they began to flee, 
knaves and yeomen, even the old wives who could barely 
hobble on their sticks, and who should have known bet- 
ter than to be afraid of Robin Hood, for he had ever 
been their friend. But terror seizes one and all in a 
crowd, and they stopped not to reason. If their good 
King was dead they knew not what would happen next. 

Then the King laughed a loud laugh, and called to 
them to stop, and some there were who knew his voice, 
and they turned back and saluted him. Full fain were 
they all then, when they saw their comely King was 
alive and safe, and glad they were that Robin Hood had 
made his peace with the King. 

And the King tarried yet a week in Nottingham, and 
he summoned Sir Richard of Lea to him, and gave him 
back his land, whereat Robin Hood rejoiced, and 
thanked King Edward on his knee for the favor he had 
accorded his friend. 

Then Robin Hood took with him Little John and 
Midge and Arthur a-Bland and a score of his brave 



t 





220 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


young men ; but Will Scarlet be left in charge of the 
try sting -tree .and the chapel at Barnsdale, and they 
promised to send messages back and forth, and greetings 
when time served. 

So the King and Bobin Hood journeyed forth, and a 
merry time they had, and Bobin Hood was presented to 
the Queen who took him into high favor. And for a 
time he took great delight in visiting the streets and the 
shops of London, and seeing all the curious signs, and 
the strange folk from over the sea. Flemish merchants 
there were, with magnificent beaver hats, and French- 
men with pointed beards, and sometimes a Spaniard with 
his grave demeanor and proud looks. Then there were 
ever shooting matches at which Bobin Hood always 
bore away the prize, and he was much beloved, too, in 
the lady’s bower; but natheless he began to pine for the 
old life and the free days. Ere a year was out he had 
wasted nearly all his money in presents and largess, for 
a man in his station must always be of free and generous 
hand. Moreover, he began to lose his cunning with the 
bow, and when the young men shot he saw that they 
would soon surpass him. But to crown all, his merry 
men deserted him. Only Little John was left of the 
whole score, and he knew that the rest were all with 
Will Scarlet living the gay and careless life of yore. 

“Alas!” said he to himself. “Well-a-way! If I dwell 
longer with our King sorrow will slay me,” and forth- 
with he hied him to the King. 

“My lord, the King of England,” said he, and he bent 



Robin Hood Returns to the Greenwood (Page 223) 


222 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


his knee, “for Saint Charity grant me mine asking. I 
have a chapel in Barnsdale that I made myself ; it is to 
the Blessed Virgin. There would I fain be now. This 
seven nights have I not slept nor closed my eyes, nor for 
seven days have I eaten or drunk. Sorely do I long to 
go to Barnsdale to pray. Barefoot and rough-clad have 
I made a vow to go; for it repenteth me sore of my 
misdeeds, and I would do penance in my own chapel. ” 

“If it be so,” said the King, “it maybe no better. 
Since thou hast made a vow, do thou go and return as 
quickly as thou mayst. Three weeks do I give thee, but 
no longer. See that thou return in that time on pain of 
my displeasure. I would not lose thee from my side ; 
but by my troth, thou dost look soberly of late, and I 
would fain thou shouldst return my merry yeoman of 
yore. ” 

“Gramercy, lord,” returned Bobin Hood, and full 
courteously took his leave. Then he bade good-by to 
the gracious Queen, and full blithely he set his face 
toward Sherwood ; and Little John, who alone of all the 
band was left to him, accompanied him, for they both 
longed with a great longing to see the merry men and 
the trysting-tree. Nevertheless barefoot did they not 
go, for the haste that was in them ; but they mounted 
their steeds and sped away. 

Now when they came to the greenwood it was a merry 
morning in May. The birds were piping their j oyous lays, 
and the leaves were springing long and large ; and the 
hawthorn smelled sweetly in their nostrils. And Robin 


ROBIN HOOD GOES TO LONDON 223 

Hood’s longing came upon him tenfpld. “ ’Tis long since 
I was here/’ said he; “I have a mind to try my skill at 
a deer. Our Lady be my stay that I have not lost all 
my cunning. What think’st thou, Little John? Doth 
it not rejoice thy heart to be here? Methinks my lan- 
guor is all gone ; if I might but stay here. ” 

“ Yea,” said Little John. “The court is no place for 
such as we. Blow thy horn and see if thy merry meu 
are yet within the forest. ” 

So Bobin set the horn to his lips and blew a great 
blast, and straightway, as in the former days, the out- 
laws came at his summons. Well did they know their 
master’s note, and in a trice seven-score brave young 
men came running all in a row. 

Oh ! then fairly did they dolf their hoods, and gladly 
did they set them on their knee before Bobin Hood. 
“Welcome!” said they. “Welcome to our dear master 
under this greenwood tree. We have gone mourning 
thee this twelvemonth.” Then was there rejoicing on 
all sides, and many questions asked ; and Bobin Hood 
gave as cheerful account as he could of his life in Lon- 
don, but they knew he had been heart-weary. For 
their part, they made no secret that life was not the 
same to them without Bobin Hood and Little John. 
Allen a-Dale had nigh lost his voice and would sing no 
longer, and Will Scarlet had made it up with the officers 
of the law and had gone to dwell on his own lands. The 
jolly Pinder of Wakefield, to be sure, was ever jolly and 
ready to bear his part in a catch, and, moreover, he was 


224 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


now one of the best shots in the whole band, so that they 
doubted he might vie with Little John if not with Eobin 
Hood himself. But at that Eobin Hood laughed and 
winked at the jolly Pinder, and asked him if he would 
like to try a match for buffets, for he felt all his old 
strength come back to him with the fresh air of the 
woods and the sight of his seven-score men. And the 
Pinder replied that he would fight with him at the quar- 
ter-staff and feast Eobin Hood to boot at the end of it, 
as he had done once before. Whereat they both laughed 
again for pure light-heartedness. 

And there Eobin Hood found little Midge and Arthur 
a-Bland and all the score of men who had deserted him 
in London, and he forgave them, for he knew himself 
how their hearts had ached for the smell of growing 
things and a sight of the dun deer. 

“But what is this about my kinsman, Will Scarlet?” 
said he. “Is he left the greenwood? I did never hear 
that his lands were restored to him. Belike his missives 
went astray.” 

“ ’Tis too long a story for now,” said his men, “let us 
eat first and have a song, and then Midge shall tell thee 
all about it.” So they dressed the great hart, and there 
was merry feasting, and when Allen a-Dale had sung 
his song this is the story that little Midge told Eobin 
Hood about his cousin. 


WILL SCARLET REGAINS HIS LANDS 


225 


CHAPTEE XXYII 

WILL SCARLET REGAINS HIS LANDS 

When Will Scarlet was left king of the outlaws in 
place of Eobin Hood, he rejoiced never-more in his 
great office, for the love that he had borne to his master. 
And the life of an outlaw began to be distasteful to him, 
so that he thought on the lands that his brother had taken 
from him. Then one day word was brought him that 
his brother had been made Sheriff, and he determined in 
his heart to go to the moot court and defend his cause. 
He could not think that his evil brother would harbor 
ill thoughts against him so long. 

But no sooner had he appeared in court and cast off 
his hood than his brother saw him, and cried out upon 
him for an outlaw, and he was seized and bound and cast 
into prison. 

Now the second brother, Sir Ote, had dwelled for 
many a year in the next county, where were the lands 
that his father had bequeathed him ; but evil news travels 
quickly, and it was not long ere he heard how one 
brother had been seized for a felon by the other brother 
as Sheriff; and he was sore grieved by the tidings. 
Quickly he took horse and rode into Nottingham and 
came straight to his evil brother. u Brother,” said he, 
“we be but three brethren, and shall never be more, 
and thou hast imprisoned the best of us all. Evil befall 
him who should deprive us of such a brother.” 


226 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“Sir Ote, ” said the false Sheriff, “take back thy curse 
or it shall be the worse for thee, and it shall be the worse 
for him that thou meddlest in this matter. He is in the 
King’s prison where he shall abide till the justice 
come. ” 

“Pardee,” answered Sir Ote, “that is better. I will 
go bail for him that thou mayst grant him deliverance to 
me till the next sitting. And then let Gamelyn stand 
his chance.” 

“So be it,” said the evil brother. “On such pledge I 
make him over to thee. But by the soul of my father 
who begat me, if he be not ready when the Justice shall 
sit, thou shalt suffer judgment.” 

“Agreed,” said his brother. “Deliver him anon, and 
give him over to me. ” 

Then was Gamelyn delivered to his brother, and that 
night he dwelled with him, and in the morning he said : 
“ Brother Ote, I must go from thee to see how my brave 
men of the greenwood prosper. I would not that they 
should quarrel, or that aught should mischance. ” 

“By my faith,” said Sir Ote, “that is cold counsel for 
me. I see that all the cark and care will fall on my 
head, for when the Justice sits and thou art not found, 
I shall be taken and bound for thy sake.” 

“Brother,” answered Gamelyn, “think not so evil of 
me, nor be not dismayed. By St. James of Galicia, to 
whom travelleth many a man as pilgrim, if God Almighty 
keep me in life and understanding I will be ready when 
the justice sits.” 








228 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


And Sir Ote was appeased and said : “ God shield thee 
from shame. Come when thou seest it is time, and bring 
ns out of our danger.” 

So Gamelyn returned to the greenwood, and became 
Will Scarlet again, and glad he was to escape for this 
time. Then so fain was he of the forest and of his liberty 
that he had wellnigh forgotten the day when he was to 
return ; but by good fortune, as he beheld the trees and 
the leaves falling, and saw that the grain was ripe in the 
fields, he bethought him of his brother, and how it be- 
hoved him to be ready when the Justice should sit, lest 
good Sir Ote should come to harm. 

And he said to his young men : “ Make you ready ; 
when the Justice sits we must be there, for I am under 
pledge till I come, or my brother will be cast into prison 
for my sake.” 

“By St. James,” said his men, “an that is your coun- 
sel, ordain what ye will, and it shall be done ; ” and they 
made them ready with bow and arrows and departed for 
the moot court. 

Now as the day drew near, the false brother forgot 
not to hire men for the jury to hang his brother, for he 
cared not if it should be Gamelyn or his brother Sir 
Ote ; and even while Gamelyn was coming with his brave 
young men, the Justice satin judgment; and Sir Ote 
was fettered fast in lieu of Gamelyn. But when Gamelyn 
perceived that the court was begun, he sent in one of 
his men to see how matters stood, and the good yoeman 
went in and saw the Justice and the jury ; nearby, too, 


WILL SCARLET REGAINS HIS LANDS 


229 


was the false brother, the Sheriff, besides lords, both 
great and small ; and in the midst Sir Ote, fast fettered. 
Never so sore aghast was he, and he came and told all to 
Gamelyn. 

“ Young men,” said Gamelyn, “ye hear how it is. If 
God give us grace, he shall dear abide it who brought 
my brother to this pass.” 

And they cried out, “If you do by our rede there is 
none in the hall who shall bear away his head ; ” so wroth 
were they that injustice should be done. 

But Gamelyn said: “Nay, we will not do so. We will 
slay the guilty, and let the others go. I will go into the 
hall and speak with the Justice. My merry men, do ye 
guard the door the while, that none may escape. I will 
be Justice for this gere.” 

And his men answered, and bade him do his best and 
have no fear of them ; he should find them ready if he 
had need of them. 

So he entered the moot court with Adam Spenser, 
straight among them all, and unlocked the fetters of Sir 
Ote. “ Gramercy, ” said Sir Ote, “ thou hadst almost tar- 
ried too long. The sentence is out on me that I must 
hang. ” 

“ Brother, ” returned Gamelyn, “ so may God give me 
rest, as I will hang this day all those who gave this sen- 
tence, and the Justice also, and the Sheriff, my false 
brother, who began this strife.” 

But all this while the lords stood still in amaze, and 
the Sheriff and the Justice dared make no sign, for the 


230 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


host of brave young men all clad in Lincoln green that 
they saw about the door. 

Then Gamelyn turned to the Justice. “Thy power is 
done,” said he. “Thou must needs rise. Thou givest 
judgments that are evil. But I will sit in thy place and 
redress them.” But the Justice sat still and moved not. 
Then did Gamelyn lay hold on him, and thrust him from 
his seat. 

And when Gamelyn had set himself in the seat of jus- 
tice, Sir Ote sat beside him, and Adam Spenser at his 
feet for clerk, and he commanded his false brother and 
the Justice to be fettered and to be brought to the bar, 
both one and other ; and he inquired who had sat on the 
jury that condemned Sir Ote to be hanged, and when he 
had found them all he put each one in fetters, and had 
them brought to the bar and set in a row. 

Then did the Justice think to save his neck by casting 
the blame on another, and he said: “By my faith, the 
Sheriff is a shrew.” But Gamelyn replied to him: “Let 
him be what he will. Thou hast given judgments with 
the worst, and the twelve men that were on the jury 
shall be hanged to-day, as I hope to rest.” 

Then the Sheriff cried out in his plea: “Lord, I cry 
you mercy; thou art my brother.” 

“Therefore shalt thou hang,” answered Gamelyn, 
“for an thou wert master, I should have a worse lot.” 
And he ordained an inquiry to be made and ver- 
dict given, and the Justice and the Sheriff and all the 
twelve jurymen were hanged high, where the wind 



The Shooting-Match in Finsbuby Fields (Page 238 ) 


232 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


blew upon their bodies and the sun scorched and dried 
them. 

But Sir Ote and his brother Gamelyn, with their 
friends, sent letters to the King, and made their peace 
with him, for the King loved Sir Ote, and he had pledged 
his word in favor of Gamelyn when he was Will Scarlet 
in the forest. Moreover, he made inquiries, and found 
it as they represented, and that the false brother and the 
Justice had suborned the jurymen for money. Moreover, 
Sir Ote he made Justice, and Gamelyn recovered his 
lands and his houses. 

Thus it was that Will Scarlet was no more in the forest 
when Robin Hood returned, and though Robin Hood 
missed him sorely, yet he would not un-wish his good 
luck, more especially when he heard that Gamelyn had 
married him a fair wife and was happy. 


CHAPTER XXVin 

ROBIN HOOD WINS A MATCH FOR QUEEN KATHERINE 

Row you may think it strange perhaps that Robin 
Hood did not go back to London, but, indeed, he was 
too fain of the woods ; so he e’en stayed where he- was, 
and no entreaties of the King could tempt him again to 
the town. And King Edward was not wroth with 
him. “For,” he said, “he keepeth the sheriffs in 
check, and the monks dare not amass so great wealth 
where he is. I will forgive him the game and the 


ROBIN HOOD WINS A MATCH 233 

deer, for lie deals out more even-handed justice than 
all my officers.” 

So Eobin Hood dwelt in the greenwood two -and -twenty 
a years ; but in the mean time there was a new King and 
new Queen who knew him not, and he was still an outlaw. 

And when Eobin Hood heard how that the new Queen 
Katherine was a gracious lady and a stranger in the 
land, he was moved with desire to see the coronation, 
and all the concourse, and the city with its curious 
narrow streets and its shop signs. So he made a journey 
to London, and took with him a costly present for the 
Queen. Twelve steeds there were with handsome hous- 
ings; with silver studs and gilt trappings; and three- 
and-thirty yards of Lincoln green of the finest weave, 
for doublet and hose for the men who should ride these 
horses. And he himself was all clothed in scarlet when 
he appeared before the Queen, and he made a splendid 
figure as he kneeled in fealty before her and made offer 
to her of the steeds and their burden. 

Much pleased was she with his gallantry and his cour- 
tesy, and much flattered did she show herself that he had 
come so far to do her reverence ; and she gave him her 
hand to kiss. “Before the year is out,” she said with 
her gracious dignity, “I will be thy friend, and the 
friend of all thy gay yeomen ; ” for she was young and 
happy herself, and she liked not that any should be out- 
laws from the King’s justice and mercy; and she foresaw 
not the day when she should lose favor in the sight of 
the King and should die miserable. 


234 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


“May God reward thee, most beauteous lady,” replied 
Robin Hood, and he took his leave and returned again 
to Sherwood. 

But within the year he was summoned again to Lon- 
don to take part in a shooting match in the Queen’s 
party. 

A great match was arranged by the King, for he was 
always fond of magnificent spectacles, and he chose the 
best archers among the yeomen of the court and pitted 
them against any that Queen Katherine might provide. 

“But whom shall I choose?” said she. “Thou hast 
the flower of archery thyself, and I shall lose the wager. ” 

“Choose whom thou wilt,” returned he, “throughout 
all England. Yea, from North Wales to Weschester and 
to Coventry thou mayst search for thy archers.” 

Then the Queen bethought herself of Robin Hood, and 
she called her little page, Dick Patrinton, to her. True 
and trusty was he, and she bade him hie to Nottingham 
and inquire for Robin Hood. “Search all the wood and 
inquire of each yeoman,” said she, “and when thou find- 
est him give him this ring and bid him come hither to 
me. Bid him bring his best archers with him, and let 
him call himself Loxly, for the King must not guess who 
he is. And mark, page, what I say. He must be here 
on St. George’s day.” 

Then the little page took the ring and hasted him 
down to Nottingham. Sometimes he galloped and some- 
times he walked, but always in haste to do the gracious 
Queen’s errand; and ere he had come to Nottingham, as 


ROBIN HOOD WINS A MATCH 


235 


he was riding through the forests, he came upon Midge, 
the Miller’s son, clad in green and hearing a deer slung 
over his shoulder. 

“ Surely thou art one of the outlaws, art thou not?” 
inquired the page. “Canst thou lead me to Robin 
Hood? I have a message to him from the Queen.” 

“Certes,” replied Midge; and he led him to the tryst- 
ing-tree. 

Full humbly did the little page take off his cap to 
Robin Hood and fell down on his knee, and he said : 
“ Queen Katherine greets you well and sends you this 
ring by me. She bids you post to London court, and 
have no fear of anything, for there is to be a little sport. 
And you must call yourself Loxly, and bring with you 
your best archers, for she has need of you to hold her 
cause against the King. And you must be there on St. 
George’s day.” All this he said in a breath, as one who 
is in too great haste to order his words. 

Then Robin Hood took off the mantle from his back 
and sent it to the Queen as a token that he would be 
there ; and he chose three-score of his best archers to go 
with him. All in Lincoln green were they clothed, but 
himself was clad in scarlet. White were their hats, with 
black feathers, and a brave show did they make. They 
carried the arrows inlaid with silver that Sir Richard of 
Lea had given to Robin Hood, and in his cap Robin 
Hood stuck the silver arrow with the golden tip that 
he had won from the sheriff of Nottingham. 

And when they came to London, he fell down on his 


236 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


knee before the Queen and asked her what she would 
with him. 

“ Welcome art thou, Loxly,” said she, “and all thy 
good yeomanry. The King is marched into Finsbury 



field, and there is to be a match there to-day for the 
three best shots. The King has chosen the best of his 
yeomanry, and I trust to thee to hold up my party. ” 


ROBIN HOOD WINS A MATCH 


237 


Then they followed the King to Finsbury Field, where 
he was measuring out the space with a line to see how 
long the mark should be. But Bobin Hood’s men were 
so sure they should win, that Little John, who went 
by the name of Clifton, shouted that they needed no 
mark. “ We’ll shoot at sun and moon,” quoth he; but 
the King replied: “Fifteen -score yards shall it be. A 
full fifteen-score shall stand.” 

“I’ll lay my bow then,” said Clifton, “that I’ll cleave 
the wand.” 

“ What is the wager? ” asked the Queen ; “that I must 
now know here.” 

And the King replied : “ Three hundred tuns of Rhen- 
ish wine, and three hundred tuns of beer, and three hun- 
dred of the fattest harts that run on Dallom lea. ” i 

“That is a princely wager,” replied the Quewi, as 
she settled herself to watch the shooting. All the King’s 
party were on one side, and the Queen with her ladies 
and her gallant knights and Robin Hood with his yeo- 
manry upon the other. 

So the match began, and the King’s archers led off. 
Bravely they shot, and they came near of the mark, but 
Robin Hood cared not to shoot his best, for he willed 
that they should have a chance ; and for that turn it was 
three to none for the King’s party. 

Then the ladies began to shout: “Madame, thy chance 
is gone,” but she looked about not dismayed. “Is there 
none,” she said, “that will be of my party? Sir Richard 
of Lea, come hither. Thou art a knight full good, and 


238 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


I know thou wilt stand by the ladies, for thou comest of 
Gawain’s stock. And thou, good Bishop of Hereford, 
wilt thou also come hither ? ” 

“Nay, I like not that,” said the Bishop. “If I 
might have my own will, I would be of the King’s 
side. The King has archers of his own, tried and 
trusty, but these are strangers. No man knows what 
they can do. By my silver mitre, I’ll not bet a penny 
on thy side.” 

Then up spoke Loxly. “ What wilt thou lay against 
us, and stake it on the ground ? ” 

“All the money in my purse,” answered the Bishop, 
“and ’tis nigh five hundred pounds.” 

“ ’Tis a bet,” returned Loxly, “and we’ll stake it mer- 
rily ; ” he knew full well in his heart whose the gold 
should be. 

Then they shot about in turn again, and this time it was 
three to three, for Bobin Hood gave his men a free hand ; 
and the ladies all shouted and called out : “ Lady, you 
will win at the end.” And the Bishop of Hereford be- 
gan to repent his wager, but the King cried out: “’Tis 
game and game now. The third three pays for all.” 
And Bobin Hood whispered in the Queen’s ear: “The 
King’s part shall be but small of this.” 

So a third time they shot about. Bobin Hood shot 
under his hand and hit the mark, and Little John clave 
the willow wand, and Midge, the Miller’s son, shot not 
much worse, for his arrow stuck within a finger of the 
prick. 


ROBIN HOOD WINS A MATCH 


239 


“Now, Bishop, beware thy purse, ” said Sir Bichard of 
Lea, and the Queen cried out: “A boon, a boon, my 
lord King ; I pray that you will be angry with none that 
is of my party.” 

And King Harry was so pleased with the fine shooting, 
though he had lost, that he replied: “Forty days shall 
they have to come, and forty days to go, and three times 
forty to sport and play, then welcome friend or foe. ” 

“Then thou art welcome, Bobin Hood,” said the 
Queen, “and welcome to Little John and to Midge, the 
Miller’s son. Thrice welcome to each one,” and there 
was great shouting and clapping on all sides. 

“Is this Bobin Hood? ” said the King. “It was told 
to me that he was slain by the palace gate in the North 
country.” 

“And is this Bobin Hood? ” said the Bishop of Here- 
ford. “ Had I known it was that bold outlaw I would 
not have laid a penny. He took me late one Saturday, 
and bound me to a tree and made me sing a mass for him 
and his yeomanry. And he borrowed my money against 
my will, but he never paid me again.” 

“And what if I did? ” said Bobin Hood. “I was full 
fain of that mass, for ’twas long since I had heard one ; 
and as for payment, here! take half thy money again.” 

“I thank thee for nothing, ” replied the Bishop in a 
huff. “ Thy gifts are well known. Thou wilt borrow a 
man’s money against his will, and pay him again with 
his own.” And he was in ill humor to have lost five 
hundred pounds on a foolish bet. 


240 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


CHAPTER XXIX 

ROBIN HOOD’S CHASE 

It was not a great while after this that King Henry 
heard how the deer were wasting away in Sherwood, and 
he was wroth with Robin Hood ; and though he had given 
him safe conduct for three times forty days, he was de- 
termined to chase him and hunt him down. So he took 
leave of his Queen, and rode with his train down to 
Nottingham to inquire after bold Robin Hood. 

But Queen Katherine was loath that her champion 
should fall under the King’s displeasure, and she sent 
him word by her trusty page, Dick Patrinton, how the 
King was wroth with him for the killing of his deer, and 
how he had gone down to Nottingham in chase of him, 
though he had given him free conduct throughout all 
England to sport and play, to come and go. 

So when Robin heard that the King was in Not- 
tingham he said to Little John that it was time he was 
gone to some other place ; and he took leave of his merry 
men, saying that he would come again in a few days. 
And he put on a palmer’s weed and went into Yorkshire. 

Therefore when the King was guided to the trysting- 
tree, he found not Robin Hood, nor could any of the 
outlaws tell him where he was. However, a monk who 
chanced to be passing that way told him that he had 
seen the strong thief on the road to York, and the King 
posted thither in haste. But Robin Hood had turned 



Robin Hood’s Last Shot (Page 250 ) 




242 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


aside from York and gone to Newcastle, where he stayed 
but two or three hours, till he heard that the King was 
on his traces and was following him in hot haste. 



So on to Berwick went Robin Hood still pursued by 
the King, who grew more vexed as he found Robin to 
flee ever from him. He swore he would follow him and 
take him or die, and he rode more swiftly. 

“Come,” said Little John, as he descried in the dis- 







244 


THE TALE OE ROBIN HOOD 


tance the cloud of dust that the King’s horses were mak- 
ing. “ Let’s away, and let any man who dares, follow 
us;” and off they rode to Carlisle, and so into Lan- 
cashire. All through the breadth of Lancashire they 
fled, with King Henry after them, till they came to 
Chester ; for they knew not why the King should be so 
wroth and they feared some treachery. 

But when they had come to Chester, Kobin Hood be- 
thought himself of a wile. . “I will go to London,” said 
he, “to see our gracious Queen. It may be that she 
wants our company, and therefore the King pursues 
me. ” So he travelled as quickly as might be to London 
and inquired for the Queen, and when he came into her 
presence he fell upon his knee and said: “If it please 
your grace, I have heard that King Henry is seeking 
me, and I am come to know if you will aught of me.” 

And Queen Katherine answered bold Robin Hood: 
“The King is gone to Sherwood, and when he went he 
did say to me that he would go seek Robin Hood. Hie 
thee, therefore.” And Robin Hood thanked the Queen 
and made his obeisance to her. “Fare you well,” he 
said, “for to merry Sherwood will I hie me straight. I 
would fain know what the King would with me; if I 
might but see his face ; ” and he rode back to the tryst- 
ing-tree. 

But King Henry knew not what had become of Robin 
Hood, and he journeyed home full weary and vexed in 
mind, and he blamed fortune that he might not come 
up with him. 


ROBIN HOOD’S DEATH 


245 


u Welcome home,” cried Queen Katherine. “ Wel- 
come home, Henry, my sovereign liege. Hast thou seen 
Kobin Hood*? That archer good has been here to seek 
thee.” And when the King heard that Kobin Hood had 
been to London to seek him, he replied: “He is a cun- 
ning knave. I have sought him these three weeks.” 
And he was so pleased with Kobin Hood’s cleverness 
that he forgave him freely and gave over the chase. 


CHAPTEK XXX 

ROBIN HOOD’S DEATH 

Thus for many years Kobin Hood lived with his merry 
men, and they did fleet the time carelessly with no 
thought of camp or court. King Henry no more pur- 
sued him, but allowed him to live his life in the forest 
without let or hindrance. And Queen Katherine no 
more sent for him. She, poor lady, when it came to 
the days of her trial, was too sore bestead to take 
pleasure in brave archery, nor could any skill of men 
or strength of arm save her from her enemies. But 
Kobin knew naught of her sorrow and grief, or I wot 
he had endeavored what a gentle yeoman could in her 
defence. 

But ere that time came he was himself grown old, and 
a sickness came upon him, and his right hand lost its 
cunning. 

“I ween I must go to Kirkesly, to my cousin, the 


246 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


prioress, and she will let me blood,” said he, “for my 
eye grows dim, and my strength serves not to bend the 
bow as it was wont. Peradventure, she will cure me of 
my malady.” 

“Have a care how thou goest to Kirkesly,” said 
Midge. “Thou knowest that Red Roger of Doncaster is 
no friend of thine, and he is near kinsman to the prior- 
ess. Thou wilt be sure to fall into some quarrel with 
him. Take half a hundred of your best bowmen with 
you, dear master, and if you have need of us we will 
not fail you.” 

“Thankee,” returned Robin Hood. “If thou beest 
afraid I counsel thee to stay at home; but for me, why 
should I fear that my cousin should seek my harm. I 
will have none but Little John go with me, and he shall 
bear my bow, if perchance, I desire to shoot anything by 
the way.” 

And little Midge was silent, for he was angered by his 
master’s taunt, yet he felt sore troubled that Robin 
Hood should go unaided among his enemies. 

Then Robin Hood and Little John set forth; Robin 
carried his own bow, and Little John bore his, and on 
the way they shot for pennies as they had done many 
years before. But this time it was not luck so much as 
weakness that caused Robin Hood to fail of the mark, 
and he hasted the more to get to Kirkesly to his cousin. 

On they went, still shooting, till they came to a black 
water which was crossed by a single plank, and on the 
plank kneeled an old woman, who was muttering curses, 


ROBIN HOOD’S DEATH 


247 


and banning Eobin Hood. “Why dost thou bann 
Eobin Hood, old woman?” asked lie. “Has be ever 
done tbee any harm?” But she stayed not in her 
cursing, nor gave him answer; and Little John grew 
angry. “Belike she is some witch,” said he, “who is 
hired by thy enemies to cast a spell upon thee. Shall I 
tumble her into the water for her foul words ? ” 

But Eobin Hood would not suffer him. “ I have never 
harmed a woman yet,” said he, “nor will not now.” So 
they passed on, till they came near to the priory, and 
there they saw a crowd of women who were weeping and 
bemoaning themselves, for they had heard that Eobin 
Hood was to be let blood that day, and they w^ere filled 
with fear and dread that some harm should come to him. 

But Eobin Hood was no more disturbed by the weep- 
ing than by the banning, and Little John would not let 
his master see how troubled he was; so they kept on still 
shooting for pennies till they came to Kirkesly. 

When they came to Kirkesly hall, and knocked at 
the great door, none was so ready as the prioress her- 
self to let bold Eobin in. “Eight welcome art thou to 
me, bold cousin,” said she. “Will it please you sit and 
drink some beer with me?” But Eobin replied that- he 
would neither eat nor drink till he had been let blood. 

“Say you so?” answered she. “ Then I have a room 
that thou hast never seen, where thou mayst be quiet 
and undisturbed, and if you please to enter in I will 
gladly do thee any service in my power.” So he bade 
good-by to Little John, who wished him Godspeed, and 


248 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


he entered the little chamber which was assigned to 
him. 

But Little John was sorrowful at heart, and he went 
not far away, but lingered near that he might be at hand 
if need were. 

Then the prioress called for a chafing dish to be set by 
the fire, and she brought a pair of irons in her hands all 
wrapped carefully in silk. Then she bade him strip up 
his sleeve, and she laid the irons to his arm. And first 
the thick blood came, and that was well ; but when the 
thin blood began to run then Bobin Hood knew that 
treason had been done upon him. And then the prioress 
left him in the little chamber, and no one came to him, 
and he was faint and weak. 

At last he bethought himself of the casement, and he 
made shift to pull himself thereto ; but he could no more ; 
there he lay in the window without power to leap down. 
Then by chance as he lay he felt of his bugle horn, and he 
set it to his lips and blew three blasts therebn ; but they 
were so weak that Little John when he heard them, as 
he sat without under a tree, thought to himself that his 
master must be nigh dead to blow so wearily, and he 
hurried back to the priory. 

Now Bed Boger of Doncaster had also heard the horn, 
for he had stayed that day with the prioress, waiting till 
Bobin Hood should die ; he had won his kinswoman by 
a great sum of money to compass the death of Bobin 
Hood, and he would not that any help should come to 
him, or that his plot should miscarry in any way. 


ROBIN HOOD’S DEATH 


249 


And when he heard the bngle horn, and knew it was 
Kobin Hood, he hasted to the little chamber and saw 
Eobin Hood lying by the window, faint and weak with 
the loss of blood ; and he made a pass at him, as he had 
not dared to do when Eobin was in health, and he 
wounded him in the thigh, like a traitor as he was. 

But Eobin Hood still had more spirit than a common 
man, and his wrath gave him strength, and he quickly 
drew his trusty sword as Eed Eoger bended over him, 
and he gave him a sudden blow that smote off his head, 
and he tumbled out at the window upon the ground. 
“ There shalt thou lie a prey for dogs,” muttered Eobin 
Hood, “but I would that Little John should come, for 
my strength fast faileth me.” 

Even as he spoke Little John broke in the door and 
entered to him. The priory gate had been unbarred 
for him, and he found the prioress sitting in fear and 
trembling in her parlor, for her heart smote her that she 
should have done evil to her cousin, who had been ever 
kind and faithful to her. And when she made no reply 
to Little John’s question, he found his way by instinct 
through bolt and bar to his dear master. 

Full of wrath was he when he saw Eobin Hood, and 
knew that he had been done to death, and he begged a 
boon that he might have leave to set fire to the nunnery 
and to burn up the prioress and all Kirkesly ; but Eobin 
Hood forbade. 

“It may not be, Little John,” said Eobin Hood. “If 
I should do hurt to any woman at my latter end, God 


250 


THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 


would blame me. But bend my bow for me, and I will 
have one last shot from this casement, and where the 
arrow falls, there bury me. Set my bright sword at 
my head, and my arrows at my feet, and lay my bent 
bow by my side. And make my grave of gravel and 
green sod, and let me have length and breadth enough, 
that men may say when I am dead, ‘Here lies bold Robin 
Hood.’” 

So Little John raised him up and bent his bow, and 
Robin Hood took his last shot. Not so strong and firm 
was it as when he shot his three hundred and thirty 
yards against Guy of Gisborne, nor yet as when he shot 
his fifteen-score yards for Queen Katherine against the 
King’s archers; but it was strong enough to send the 
arrow far beyond the palings of the nunnery garden, out 
to the edge of the forest ; and Little John marked well 
the place where the arrow fell under a spreading oak 
tree such as Robin Hood loved full well. 

Then Robin Hood bade Little John take him on his 
back and bear him out from the priory to the street, 
and so into the open air that he might not die within 
four walls. And as he said so was it done; a fair 
monument was set above his grave ; and all women and 
all good yeomen mourned for his death, but evil men 
rejoiced at it, for he put them all to shame with his 
courtesy and his boldness and the justice of his dealings. 






















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